London, Sept. 20: British males found paying for sex with women who have been coerced into prostitution or trafficked for sexual exploitation would be prosecuted under proposals to be announced by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.

It would be an offence in England and Wales to pay for sex if a pimp who was controlling the woman, was found to have coerced her into the sex trade or was trafficking her for sexual exploitation, reports The Times.

Last year, Smith said: “We recognise that there is considerable support for us to do more to tackle the demand for prostitution and to prevent the trafficking of people for sexual exploitation.”

Prime Minister Gordon Brown recently indicated his determination to legislate in this area, when his spokesman said that he believed it was wrong for men to pay for sex.

Smith will make clear that the measure will not affect sole traders or women selling sex of their own free will.

The move represents a compromise solution to demands from some senior members of the Government to criminalise the purchase of all sex.

Police were concerned about the practicalities of a law banning any payment for sex.

Exact details of the new offence and the penalties to be imposed are yet to be worked out.

Ministers believe that the measure will act as a deterrent to international human trafficking. (ANI)