Calton Hill 'rent boys' move trade into residential streets

City centre councillor David Beckett told the Evening News he had received reports that sex workers who have traditionally prowled the north of the hill have now been seen working near homes.

He says it follows an increase in the number of drug addicts, teenage drinkers and homeless people attracted to the hill, which has disturbed the sex workers' usual haunts.

He has been sending out letters to local residents and going door-to-door to gauge the extent of the problem, and has planned a public meeting.

He said: "Most of the residents I've spoken to complained about the high number of homeless people living on the hill, drug taking and underage drinking there.

"But a large number did complain about seeing signs of homosexual sex near to their homes."

While none of the residents actually witnessed any acts taking place, some said they had heard noises in the night that were pretty unmistakable.

"Calton Hill has traditionally been known as the place to go for homosexual sex in Edinburgh, but it is a cause for concern when it spreads into residential areas."

Councillor Beckett believes the "zero tolerance" policy of moving homeless drunks from Hunter Square has led to an increase in the number of vagrants walking around the hill.

He also said he was collating complaints related to underage drinking, and associated litter and antisocial behaviour.

Calton Hill resident Shona Kirk said: "We used to have a bench at the bottom of our drive where people would hang around.

"Most of the time they didn't disturb us but we have a three-year-old in the house which makes us ultra-protective so we moved the bench.

"We also had to move a hedge at the bottom of our garden because we were regularly finding drug taking equipment, so we think people were using it for shelter while they took their drugs and then just leaving their stuff behind."

Former police officer Trevor Martin who lives on the same street said he had chased youngsters from his back garden late at night, though he said the main problem in the area was with drunken customers leaving nearby clubs.

A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said that their officers carry out regular patrols in that area and would take appropriate action when necessary.

He added: "The force is committed to tackling prostitution, while at the same time helping people find routes out of prostitution."