Soho sex workers held “their biggest protest to date” in London’s Piccadilly yesterday against recent raids on brothels.

Musicians, actors, dancers and performance artists joined members of The English Collective of Prostitutes to protest against the “ham-fisted” nature of the raids which closed 18 brothels.

Campaigners warn the raids risk “pushing sex workers back onto the streets.”

Local singer-songwriter Tim Arnold, also known as the Soho Hobo, performed his new song The Piccadilly Trot.

He said: “My work as a songwriter is all about celebrating and preserving the heritage of Soho. My grandfather worked for Paul Raymond as a comedian in the 50’s, my mother was a Windmill Girl, and so Soho is in my blood.

“Social tolerance and sexual freedom have always been part of Soho’s history and part of it’s global appeal. It’s also what my songs are about, so it’s natural for me to support the working girls in their protest.”