Rap for wall horror chiefs

RECYCLING plant bosses did not make proper checks that may have averted a wall collapse which killed five migrant workers, an inquest heard yesterday.

The men were crushed by 26 six-ton blocks that made up the 12ft-high partition which had no mortar between its bricks.

The wall, at Hawkeswood Metal Recycling in Birmingham, was held together “by gravity”, said the Health and Safety Executive. The inquest in Birmingham continues. BRITAIN’S first “managed” red light zone is under threat amid claims children’s lives are in danger.

Since 2015, a small industrial zone near Leeds city centre has become an area where police say there is a “lower likelihood of arrest” for those involved in the sex trade.

Leeds councillors yesterday voted to have an independent review into the managed approach, in Holbeck, after calls were made for it to be suspended.

The women working in the zone have a dedicated female plain-clothes officer they can turn to for help.

And police, who make regular patrols, mostly turn a blind eye to the sex trade.

CCTV cameras were put up by the Holbeck area in Leeds city centre

council shortly after the 2015 murder of Polish national Daria Pionko, 21.

But the managed scheme has been slammed by locals. Campaign group Save Our Eyes claims children are in danger, and are witnessing sexual activity and drug taking on a daily basis.

But the sex workers in the city defended the arrangement, saying “it’s keeping us alive” and “feeding our kids”.

Cllr Amanda Carter yesterday told the chamber: “The pimps have to be dealt with because [the women] are controlled by these men who are evil.”

But Cllr Andrew Scopes told the council: “In 2014, only 7% of crime was reported – now that rate is 50%.”

The Mirror has spoken to those on both sides of the debate.