Parents' anger over topless women charging for photos in Times Square

While women walking topless are not breaking the law in New York, tourists and parents have expressed their anger at a group of ladies prancing around popular attraction Times Square and charging holidaymakers for photos.

The women, who wear nothing but a thong and patriotic body paint, mostly approach groups of guys but many tourists believe it is inappropriate for children visiting New York with their families.

See also: Tourist charged $165 for pedicab ride in New York

The women charge tourists $10 to take photos.

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer said she is trying to reign in the performers.

Speaking to New York Daily News, she said: "The whole situation is a disaster I think for tourists and New Yorkers and the family friendly image... It's just mind blowing.

"I really don't believe in it. . . . I wish it was illegal, but it's not."

Odessa Leitch, 38, told the newspaper that she was not happy about her 12-year-old son and three-year-old daughter witnessing the topless women.

"It's inappropriate," she said.

Another parent, Parfait Mutimura, said: "I understand New York is all about self-expression but there are a lot of kids out here."

He added: "They could keep these women in a different spot, away from the Disney characters, but they wouldn't make as much money."

The number of women walking around Times Square has doubled to 40 in the last year.

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