Cards in phone boxes

In 2004/05, O2 has been in discussion with Westminster Council about its campaign against prostitute cards displayed in BT phone boxes and other public places. Westminster Council believes the cards, as well as being an anti-social nuisance, are linked to gangs trafficking women and underage girls. O2 takes crime prevention and child protection seriously and whilst we are not convinced that call-barring is an appropriate or effective means of tackling carding we have, after discussions with the police, Home Office, Ofcom, Westminster Council and BT, decided to conduct a trial of barring incoming calls to O2 numbers advertised on prostitute cards posted in BT phone boxes. The trial began in May 2005 and will run for three months.