FACTBOX - Proposed tightening of prostitution laws

LONDON (Reuters) - Men using prostitutes would face prosecution under plans to curb the exploitation of vulnerable people by pimps and traffickers, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said on Wednesday.

Here are the details:

-- A new criminal offence of paying for sex with someone who is controlled for another person's gain. It will apply even if the buyer claims he did not know the woman was being pimped. The offence would carry a criminal record and a maximum 1,000 pound fine.

-- Removing the need to prove that a man has acted persistently in order to be prosecuted for kerb crawling. This will make it possible to prosecute on a first offence. At present kerb crawling has to be persistent or annoying to people in the neighbourhood for a prosecution.

-- Powers to close brothels and other premises used for prostitution. Police currently have no power to do this. Under the proposals they would be able to seek an order to bar entry to a premises by any individual for three months.

(Reporting by Tim Castle)