The popular website for classified ads Craigslist has blocked access to its 'adult services' section.

Users now see a black bar with the word 'censored' where the listings previously appeared, reports the New York Times.

Craigslist took the decision after law-enforcement officials and groups that oppose human trafficking slammed the website, saying that the adult ads helped facilitate prostitution and the selling of women against their will.

Craigslist, which is based in San Francisco, did not respond to requests for comment.

It is, however, unclear whether the block represented a permanent shift in policy or a temporary protest against the outside pressure on the company, which has lasted several years.

Last month, the attorneys general from 17 states sent a letter to Craigslist's chief executive, Jim Buckmaster, and its founder, Craig Newmark, asking the company to immediately remove the adult services section.

Richard Blumenthal, the Connecticut attorney general who helped lead the effort against Craigslist, said: "These prostitution ads did not promote a victimless crime. There is human trafficking in children, assaults on women."

He said he was pleased that Craigslist appeared to be "doing the right thing voluntarily" but added that his office would continue to monitor the site and was trying to determine if Craigslist was closing the section permanently. (ANI)