Israeli police have announced a crackdown on lap dancing at strip clubs, after the State Attorney’s office announced that “the activity in certain circumstances constitutes prostitution.”

Shlomo Lamberger, the Deputy State Attorney, said that the “continued practice of ‘lap dances’ shall be considered a criminal offence against which extensive measures can be taken, including against owners of such establishments.”

As a result, strip club owners throughout the country have received warning letters from police regarding the policy change and possible action in the future should they fail to comply with new guidelines.

The police have begun issuing warning letters to strip club owners around the country detailing the change in policy and warning the owners of potential future police action.

Reportedly, both the length of time of a dance and the degree of physical contact between the two parties will be taken into account when defining the nature of the act.

“The continuation of this activity constitutes an offense and a cause for using all legal means,” the police said.

“The Israel Police and the state prosecutor’s office will continue to act firmly against offenses of exploiting women, including any offense or illicit phenomenon that meets the definition of prostitution.”

Prostitution itself remains legal in Israel, but running a brothel or pimping are both illegal, as is sex trafficking.