Public meeting to discuss Leeds' red light zone

People in Leeds living near the UK's first legal red light zone have told Radio Aire it's ruining the area – and their lives.

A community meeting is being held in Holbeck tonight, where dozens of residents will tell local authorities why they believe the project should be stopped.

It was introduced as a pilot in October 2014 as a way of tackling long-running problems with prostitution in the area and making it safer for the women involved.

The idea is that women can ply their trade without fear of being arrested – as long as they’re inside the boundaries of the ‘managed area’, and stick to certain rules.

But many people living locally say activity in the zone is spilling out into the surrounding areas, with reports of it spreading down into Beeston.

Nearly 200 people have formed a Facebook group, which they use as a space to gather evidence of the problems they’re facing.

They’ve built up a collection of photos and videos showing things like needles and used condoms in the street or around playgrounds, and women working outside of the zone or in the middle of the day. They’ll show them to authorities like Leeds City Council at a public meeting there tonight

A Safer Leeds spokesperson said:

“We have made an ongoing commitment to listen closely to all of the views that have been expressed regarding this particular approach, and adapt and modify the strategy as appropriate. To inform this work, and balance the different needs of residents, businesses, sex workers, agencies and support teams, this included undertaking a wide-ranging public consultation and review of the scheme last summer.

“While there has undoubtedly been some positive results achieved, especially in regard to improving the confidence of sex workers to report crimes and access support, we fully recognise and understand that some people for a variety of reasons, will never support the approach which is being taken. There is also no denying that the initial publicity around the Managed Approach exacerbated by an intense media spotlight undermined the confidence of some local businesses and residents.

“In response, we have worked extremely hard with partners to reduce the impact and tackle the concerns raised in the community. This includes for example, changing operational hours of the Managed Approach, and increasing local environmental budgets to support local businesses. Residents, businesses and all interested parties can be fully assured that the work undertaken as part of the Managed Approach is under continuous review to ensure it is meeting our aims of helping vulnerable sex workers to exit the streets, enforcing against criminality and supporting the community. If this is not the case, further steps will be taken and further options considered as appropriate.

• in the zone