It's a damp summer evening in Rochdale.
Just near the town's railway station, a young woman, no older than 20, approaches me.
"Do you want business?"
I politely decline, but ask if I can talk to her for a few minutes.
She agrees, but as soon as I tell her I'm a Manchester Evening News reporter, she scuttles away.
"I need to make some pennies, love," she says.
"Have you got any change?"
I'm at the junction of Miall Street and Lincoln Street, not far from the terraced homes on Durham Street, where residents and businesses owners are familiar with the sight of women milling about looking for 'customers'.
It's an issue that has been prevalent in the area for some time, according to Milkstone and Deeplish ward councillor and former Rochdale council leader Allen Brett.
"I've been a councillor in this area for six years, and it's been a problem here off and on for much of that time, and I understand it was before then," he said.
"Drug dealing is a major problem, but I could take you to most places in Rochdale, including the well-off areas, like Wardle, where this is the case.
"In my view, all the police have to do is stop the speeding motorists who plague the area and they will solve the drug problem because that is what most of the drug dealers do."
It's no secret that street-level sex work has an inextricable link to drug addiction and poverty.
One business owner, asked not to be named, told the M.E.N: "Of course there are the working girls.
"You have to feel sorry for them. But there are also kids on bikes openly selling drugs around here.
"It's no surprise if they are hooked on the stuff.
"It's so sad."
Workers at a bus depot on Miall Street back up what he says.
One of them tells me: "You can see the girls at the end of the street and other streets surrounding here.
"It is a semi-industrial area where there are often lorries parked overnight, so the girls will gravitate towards them in the hope of picking up business.
"It must be difficult for the people living here, but you also have to feel sorry for the girls."
Greater Manchester Police say they are investigating the issues raised by residents.
MASH (Manchester Action on Street Health) is a specialist charity supporting women who are sex working in the city centre and surrounding towns.
Its team supports women with health, safety and wellbeing via its drop-in centre and clinic in Manchester and its outreach van.
The charity's chief executive Annie Emery said: "Every woman who is sex working on the streets has a different story and reason for doing so.
"What we really want women to know is that they’re not alone and that there are people who care about them and can offer support. People who understand.
"What we know from our work at MASH is that women often experience violence and stigma whilst they’re working.
"They might be in a desperate situation with their housing or finances and they might face barriers to accessing the medical help they need. They’re also some of the most resilient and strong people we know.
“A vital part of our support is that it’s non-judgemental. Working in a trauma-informed way, our caseworkers and specialist nurses build up trusted relationships with women so they feel able to share what’s going on in their lives.
"Whether it’s homelessness, domestic violence, or worries about their health. Once women know what different options are available to them, they can make their own personal choices about how they’d like to engage with support from MASH and other key partners.
“Any woman in Greater Manchester who is involved in sex work can get in touch with MASH for free and confidential advice and support.”
MASH can be contacted via its Freephone number 0800 1830 499 or by clicking here. To donate to MASH’s 30th anniversary appeal, click here.
