Drugs children offer sex

Young children are selling sex in Leeds, claims an ex-prostitute

A former prostitute says under-age girls are selling sex in Leeds to pay for their drug habit.

Charlie Daniels has told BBC Radio Leeds that she has seen children as young as 12 and 13 years old working on the city's streets to pay for heroin.

Ms Daniels says she never used to see girls under the age of 16 working as prostitutes, but has seen two very young girls working in the last month.

She says the use of drugs and prostitution are closely linked.

"They're 12 or 13 (years old) sometimes.

"I've certainly seen two or more girls working in an area that's not normally known as a red light area funnily enough.

"And yes, they were definitely on drugs. They look like they may have been homeless."

Tink Palmer of the children's welfare charity Barnardo's told BBC News Online: "No young person makes an informed choice to become involved in prostitution.

"It happens for many different reasons.

Anyone who chooses to have sex with a young girl is an abusing person Children's welfare charity Barnardo's

"Sometimes young people are controlled by an older person and sold for sex, sometimes they are so desperate for money, a roof over their heads, food or drugs they put themselves in a position where they may be abused through prostitution.

"The key message is that anyone who chooses to have sex with a young girl is an abusing person, and that young people should be protected from this form of sexual abuse.

"There is help available from organisations like Barnardo's."