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An artist is using items discarded by sex workers in Holbeck to create sculptures - in a bid to spark a wider debate about the city's red light district.

After months of collecting used needles, condoms and other items that have been discarded around Holbeck's Managed Approach zone, Claire Bentley-Smith found inspiration at the bottom of a burnt-out pile of rubbish in August.

The mother-of-one says a charred mound of nail varnish and methadone bottles, parts of a handbag and the remains of a doll were the 'metaphor of a child having their innocence smashed' and these items couldn't just go into a bin.

She has decided to create six sculptures and several paintings that aim to highlight issues surrounding the Managed Approach and prompt constructive debates.

The first sculpture is called ‘Intravenous Innocents' and features a used needle, damaged doll head and singed spoon.

The second is 'Hopeless Harlot' and is made up of used nail varnish and methadone bottles, chicken wire mesh, the underwire from a woman's bra, another broken doll and £5 in Monopoly money, because women reportedly sell sex for that amount in Holbeck.

Ms Bentley-Smith said that once she has completed all of her sculptures and paintings, she may showcase them in an exhibition.

She said: "These art pieces have really got people talking. They seem to have sparked a much less divisive conversation then I find happens from just campaigning about prostiuiton.

"I think that obviously what we've found with Save Our Eyes has had a mixed reaction from people, whether they're for or against prostitution. But a lot of people think Save Our Eyes residents are not supportive of the vulnerable sex workers.

"However, through art, I can ask questions or allow people to ask their own questions.

"Rather than us saying 'prostitution is damaging our area', through these sculptures it allows people to question prostitution and it brings about a much broader debate about what is happening here."

She added: "If I can use my artwork to inspire debate and conversation then that's brilliant."

Ms Bentley-Smith, who lives in Beeston, works closely with the campaign group Save Our Eyes because she believes the Managed Approach scheme is ineffective and it doesn't protect sex workers from exploitation.

Working other people living in and around the zone, the sculptor has documented the actions of sex workers and their clients, reported these actions to the police and cleared up the hazardous rubbish they have left behind.

She said: "I got involved because the caretaker at my son's school kept finding condoms in the grounds, and we started having prostitutes coming round to my street, to use the cemetery to do their business.

"We've always been aware of prostitutes around Holbeck, but we never ever saw anything like what we is happened last summer, that seemed to be when things really climaxed.

"There were in cars coming onto the street and things going on in them, either drug dealing or sex acts."

She added: "There seems to be a complete doing away with any form of discretion."

poll loading Should the Managed Approach be scrapped? 1000+ VOTES SO FAR Yes, immediately No, but major changes need to be made No, it works well

Introduced in October 2014, the Managed Approach allows street sex workers to operate in parts of Holbeck during certain hours, with the aim of getting more of the women to engage with support services.

But the zone has been contentious since its introduction, and MP Hilary Benn is now calling on Leeds City Council to commission an independent review, to shed light on whether it is working.

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