THE city’s rule of law still needs to be improved as prostitution remains unchecked in some urban villages in downtown areas, Shenzhen Evening News reported yesterday.

    The streets of urban villages covered by the dark of night are reportedly the most common place for prostitution to take place. A street in Meifu Village in Futian District is one of those places.

    “The situation has been improved quite a lot after a crackdown, but some undaunted women still openly prostitute themselves on the street,” a resident said.

    The situation was more common in Shangsha in Futian, the report said. In the narrow alleys of Longqiu Village, where buildings are clustered, scantily clad woman in heavy make-up were on duty at about 10 p.m. They often appear at road crossings, clutching handbags.

    These women were said to behave in a way that did not conceal their intentions. They seemed to work in groups because they unanimously charge around 140 yuan (US$22.9) for sex.

    Prostitutes bring their clients to upstairs rooms in the villages. A street in Shangsha Village, about 10 meters away from a bustling business street, was said to be a popular destination for prostitution and nearby shop owners said they were never surprised by the scene.

    “They have been here for a long time, and no one seems to care,” a local resident said.(Anna Zhao)