Charity tackles rent boy culture

The rent boys often work to raise money for drugs

Boys as young as 13 are working as gay prostitutes in Manchester, a charity has revealed.

Lifeshare has published an advice leaflet aimed at the rent boys who are operating around the city's canal network.

Charity workers believe up to 30 rent boys are operating around the city centre, although the police put the figure at less than 10.

Outreach workers for the charity said most boys, who have often been brought up in care, turn to prostitution to raise money for drugs.

The "Up 4 Rent" cartoon strip leaflet details the dangers of living on the streets, stresses the importance of using condoms and urges the boys not to work after taking drugs.

'For affection'

One 19-year-old rent boy, who did not want to be identified, admitted life on the streets is hard.

On Tuesday he told BBC North West Tonight: "People rob you, beat you up and push you in to the canal - they're gay bashers."

Tez Clegg, an outreach worker for the charity, said the boys generally have low self esteem.

He said: "Often we find that these boys are doing it for some sort of affection.

"It may sound strange but it is the only sort of affection they can get."

Greater Manchester Police has recently appointed a prostitution liaison officer, but admits it is difficult to assess how widespread the rent boy culture is.

Few rent boys are ever arrested and the men who use them in the city are rarely prosecuted.