Uni concludes review of managed approached of sex work in Leeds

Huddersfield researchers were commissioned by Leeds City Council to carry out the independent review and make recommendations for the future

A RESEARCH team at the University of Huddersfield has examined the impact of a controversial approach to the management of sex work in the Holbeck district of Leeds.  Its verdict is that the scheme – which moves away from conventional law enforcement – has been generally successful and should continue to evolve.  But it also suggested that a publicity campaign to cast the area in a more positive light might be necessary. 

Study Criminology and Sociology at Huddersfield

Termed the Managed Approach (MA), the scheme was introduced by the Safer Leeds Partnership in 2014, as a response to a high number of reports of sex work in residential areas of Holbeck and a low rate of reporting crimes against them by street-based sex workers themselves.

Previous policing methods had proved ineffective, so a multi-agency approach was adopted, aiming to reduce the prevalence of street-based sex work in south Leeds and curtail the problems it caused to residents and businesses.  Also, it was hoped to engage with sex workers, improving their health and safety and make it easier for them to quit their way of life.

After the Managed Approach had been established for several years, the University of Huddersfield’s Professor Jason Roach and five colleagues – fellow experts in criminology and sociology – were commissioned by Leeds City Council to carry out an independent review and make recommendations for the future.

Professor Roach, Professor Rachel Armitage, Professor Barry Percy-Smith, Dr Kate Wood, Dr Michelle Rogerson and Dr Ashley Cartwright used a variety of methods – including interviews with sex workers – to appraise the Managed Approach.  Their report has now been issued.

Adult protection approach

The overall verdict is a positive one, and the Managed Approach should continue to evolve, said Professor Roach.  It had been more successful than attempts in other urban centres to move sex work away from residential areas towards industrial zones, he added.

“Also, supporting the women and taking an adult protection approach as opposed to a punitive, criminalisation approach has set the tone for the national policing of on-street sex work.  It is a multi-agency approach rather than just arresting sex workers.”

The University of Huddersfield researchers found that on-street sex workers plus social workers and police unequivocally considered the MA to be invaluable to achieving its stated aim “to better engage with street sex workers to improve their safety and health, with a view to enabling them to exit this way of life”. 

The report recommends that more should be done to involve the Holbeck community in the development of the Managed Approach.  It is also suggested that a campaign could be launched that would present a more positive image of the district, in order counter negative perceptions created by the MA.

The University of Huddersfield adopted methods that included surveys and public meetings in order to gather data about the Managed Approach.  But more fruitful were focus groups and interviews with a wide range of professionals, residents, police and with sex workers.

Safer Leeds

The independent review conducted by Professor Roach and his colleagues has been welcomed by Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s executive member with responsibility for the Safer Leeds partnership.

“The review found that the Managed Approach was able to deal at least as positively if not more so with problems associated with on-street sex working than any other policing approaches in the UK.  It also highlighted that the Managed Approach was viewed as an essential factor in better engaging with street sex workers to improve their safety and health,” said Cllr Coupar.

“We are determined to ensure that we continue to evolve all areas of our work, and remain absolutely committed to listening, learning and engaging with all stakeholders and the wider community of Holbeck.  We will do this in whatever form it might take moving forward and will focus on the findings and recommendations of the Independent Review.”

Chief Superintendent Damien Miller, who is District Commander for Leeds, said he welcomed the insights provided by the University of Huddersfield’s independent review.

“The issues around street sex work are long-standing and present complex challenges.  This was always going to be a difficult journey and we recognise there is still a long way to go, but we remain committed to this being the most effective approach to safeguard the vulnerable, reduce harm and maximise safety,” said Chief Superintendent Miller.