End of the road for red light move

The new tolerance zone was launched this month

Residents are claiming victory after police announced that a new tolerance zone for Edinburgh prostitutes is to be scrapped.

The city's red light district was moved earlier this month in a bid to keep prostitutes away from residential and business areas.

But the switch was met with opposition from those living near Salamander Street in Leith, who staged an angry protest outside the local police station.

It has become clear that local feeling means residents and businesses are not willing to accept the proposal

Pat Byrne, Chief Superintendent

Now Lothian and Borders Police has announced that the scheme will end on 30 November.

And residents in the area say that the local opposition forced the climbdown by the authorities.

Police confirmed earlier this month that they would be asking vice girls to leave the traditional "tolerance zone" in Coburg Street, Leith, for a nearby industrial estate in Salamander Street.

The force said tough guidelines would be introduced to control the number of vice girls congregating in the new area.

However, the largely commercial area is also growing as a residential district.

Those living nearby were outraged by what they described as the nuisance caused by the prostitutes and their clients.

Police plans were met with protests

In the face of the local opposition, Chief Superintendent Pat Byrne announced on Thursday that the scheme would come to an end in November.

But he warned: "We do not want to slip back 20 years to a time when prostitution was creating enormous health problems and crime, such as serious assault even including murders."

He said he regretted that the experiment was being brought to a halt.

"Frankly, the police were in an invidious position.

"We moved them from Coburg Street after consultation with other parties in response to the changes in the area and identified as an alternative a part of Salamander Street which does not have residents living directly on it.

Valid opinions

"Health and community safety were the priorities.

"However, we always said we would consult and listen to views. It has become clear that local feeling means residents and businesses are not willing to accept the proposal.

"We police by consent and these were valid opinions which have made it clear that this model is unsustainable."

There will now be consultation between the police, the city council, the health service, local residents and the prostitutes themselves in an effort to find an acceptable solution to the problem.