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A Liverpool church has revealed that it leaves its gates open at night in the full knowledge that its grounds are used for sex work.
The Kensington area of Liverpool is well known locally for the number of sex workers operating in the vicinity, with many using the car park of All Saints Church as their place of business.
Responding to complaints from local residents, All Saints Church said it has taken the decision to leave its gates open based on its beliefs and values and its mission to help vulnerable people.
The church said women should not be judged for engaging in sex work and leaving the car park open offers them a modicum of protection.
A church spokesperson told the Liverpool Echo: 'All Saints Church Kensington believes all people are equal before God and wish to be a place of sanctuary for those in need. For many years the church community has engaged with sex workers in the community to offer support, God's love and to try and offer an alternative path in life.
Residents near All Saints Church in Kensington, Liverpool, pictured, have complained that the car park is being used at night by sex workers with the permission of authorities
Among the complaints from residents is the rubbish left behind by sex workers and their clients which includes used condoms and drug paraphernalia
The church said it is their mission to help vulnerable people living and working in the community
'That's why, alongside offering food and emotional support, we work with agencies like Armistead and Addaction to provide professional support to this vulnerable community. This works. We have seen many women move from sex work to rehabilitation in recent years.'
The church accepted that the process of building trust takes time and part of this is 'offering safe, non-judgemental places.'
It added: 'The church has thought carefully and prayerfully over the benefits and risks of keeping our gates open.
'We recognise that offering a place of safety comes with risk and we know that some in the community are upset and offended by this approach.
'We work hard with our partner agencies to prevent our land being misused and we are always willing to listen to the concerns of the community and to work with our neighbours.'
The church added: 'We always
