Amazing news from Leeds!

[Marmite27]

Leeds red light zone closure: Why Holbeck Managed Approach to street sex work is being stopped by council

www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/politics/council/leeds-red-light-zone-closure-why-holbeck-managed-approach-to-street-sex-work-is-being-stopped-by-council-3273902

I would like to know how the transition away from 'managed zone' will be managed.

Will the prostituted women in Holbeck be supported with realistic exit strategies, or will they be turned into victims of nimbyism?

How will women and girls in Holbeck be protected from men who have come to think that Holbeck is 'theirs'? Will there be an increased police presence in Holbeck, or will it remain a free-for-all?

Yes...what they don't tell you is that whilst no formal managed zone, the old traditional areas of leeds will not be repopulated with sex workers and the police have no intention of enforcing the law as they simply have no resources to do so....so in fact it will be a whole lot worse and women far less safe....well done those that wanted to close it.

Wow. Wasn't expecting that.

I'm obviously ssing something - soliciting was allowed at certain times in that area, once again it's illegal at all times. Did the police not crack down on the men out looking for sexy workers? Did they just turn a blind eye, because that was still illegal, surely.

Personally I don't think it's the sex worker who should be arrested at all. Will police now be arresting sex workers, making them less of a presence in the streets, and therefore saving innocent women and girls on the area from the men who are attracted to the area by the sex workers? I really must not be understanding something here.

Did losing seats at the last election have anything to do with this?

👏👏👏👏

Fantastic news, and the schemes to help women leave will stay in place.

Its cost the taxpayer an estimated £100,000 a year to maintain, there have been women murdered, women living nearby have been raped, schoolgirls are regularly harassed.
You have to wonder what a failed scheme would look like to its supporters.

About bloody time. Well done to all of you who campaigned about it.

I think a major reason behind the closure is the Leeds Council South Bank project which comes right up against the managed zone.

As with everything, money talks.

However I’m happy to take it as a win, hopefully less school children and mums will be solicited on the school run.

And those people saying giving it ‘what about’ I’d invite you to come and live in the area. It’s been a living hell, and today we’re going to celebrate it’s demise.

Thank goodness, but as others have said it's way beyond time and I'm still disgusted that a) anyone thought this was a good idea and couldn't foresee the issues, and b) they dug in their heels for so long before finally getting rid of it. But I AM very pleased at this news, as I didn't see it coming.

JellySlice raises some very valid points though, I hope the removal of the scheme will be done with care and planning, so it doesn't just create different problems for the women and residents there.

Good news. I have been harassed in Holbeck, as have several of my colleagues, when walking back to our cars after work. Not directly in the "zone" but men who just think the whole of Holbeck is fair game.

Thank goodness, I might actually consider going to Leeds once it's closed. I've been refusing out of disgust.

@Sunflowergirl1

Yes...what they don't tell you is that whilst no formal managed zone, the old traditional areas of leeds will not be repopulated with sex workers and the police have no intention of enforcing the law as they simply have no resources to do so....so in fact it will be a whole lot worse and women far less safe....well done those that wanted to close it.

Are you ok hun?

You seem mighty pissed off about it closing. I mean it should never have been a thing but I'm sure me and most others who have complained and written to MPs and councillors and newspapers endlessly were right.

Great, finally.

They say that their support for women who want to exit has worked well and I hope that's true. And that they will carry it on.

This idea was always terrible. The impact on local women and girls was awful. The police just steered clear as I understand it.

Cllr Sarah Field’s latest speech last November was one of many. She changed the narrative and got coordinated cross party opposition.

That’s great news. Well done to all who campaigned.

Fantastic (and unexpected) news!

Fantastic news!

Fantastic, what a relief for the women of Leeds.

[quote Summerdayshaze]Cllr Sarah Field’s latest speech last November was one of many. She changed the narrative and got coordinated cross party opposition.

[/quote] She says it as it is, without frills. She's a great speaker for that reason. Her argument is not contestable in any way. 3 minutes of truth. Thanks for sharing. Well done, to all who fought for the prostituted women. I really really dislike the term sex worker that appears is some of the posts on this thread. Sex is not work.

Oh wow that's fantastic! Thank you so much to everyone who has been working on this and highlighting the issues.

Amazing news! I had missed this.

Bloody brilliant news.

Hang on
It's not official yet is it?

This is a blog by someone who lives there.

littlegirlbluedotblog.wordpress.com/2018/05/25/living-in-the-red-light-district/