A FORMER prostitute has turned her life around to help the vulnerable women who work on the same road where she used to sell sex.

The now-reformed Southend charity worker lost her children to social services aged 19 due to her addiction to drugs and involvement in prostitution.

The 44-year-old mum-of-two, who wants to remain anonymous, was selling sex from Ambleside Drive in Southchurch for 15 years.

It’s an area which is now at the centre of a new police operation.

In recent months there has been a huge spike in prostitution and drug dealing there.

The police operation, codenamed Vimto, will help the women who are being subjected to “modern day slavery.”

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Every day, charities and police have up to 16 reports of prostitution and drug dealing in Ambleside Drive and Honiton Road, Southchurch.

The new operation will see an increased police presence on the two roads, with officers speaking to the women involved, and those “controlling them.”

The former prostitute is now working with the charity Aspirations, who hand out packages to the women, and offer sessions and clinics as a “safe space” for the women to use.

The sessions allow the women to speak confidentially about the issues they face.

The charity worker said: “Losing my children crippled me, I was only 19.

“My partner went to prison and my whole world crumbled around me.

“I lost my children because of my addiction.

“I had so much guilt and shame, and I still do now.

“It broke my heart.

“I was addicted when I was only 15.

“I was told there was no hope for me, but one counsellor stuck by me.

“I’ve been left with PTSD from it, and some days are really tough.

“But I would rather have a bad day of mental health than be back where I was.”

Aspirations help signpost the women to Harp, Southend’s homeless charity.

The packages they hand out include food, toiletries and condoms.

Upgraded CCTV is in the process of being introduced on Ambleside Drive but has been delayed due to supply issues.

The new cameras will be able to provide better quality images.

The Echo understands the women being picked up are from Southend, while the ‘punters’ are coming from further afield.

The Aspirations worker continued: “I think because the women know what I’ve been through, they find it easier to talk to me about it.

“The men attack their vulnerability.

“Some days they have enough money to stay in a hostel, but some, they are sleeping rough.

“There’s no pressure on them to come to us, we just give them a rough time to come.

“We have clinics two days a week, where they can come and have a chat.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Operation Vimto has been launched in Southend following reports of increases in street prostitution, drug activity and associated anti-social behaviour.

"As a result, our officers have been spending time in the Ambleside Drive area, engaging with women who may be vulnerable and being exploited.

"We're signposting the women to support services in the local area and gathering intelligence on any possible exploitation.

"One arrest has been made on the operation, after a suspicious vehicle made off from officers.

"A man was arrested on suspicion of driving offences, after suspicion that the car was displaying false plates."