Experience has shown that rigorous law enforcement does not eradicate the sex industry

Lothian and Borders Police spokesman

Edinburgh's ongoing economic boom has attracted an influx of people to the traditional red light district as new housing, pubs and restaurants are opened.

Affluent residents and worried business owners have been more vocal in their objections to the nearby vice trade.

The growing opposition prompted police and Edinburgh City Council to agree a move away from the traditional area, which took in Coburg Street, Dock Street and Sandport Place.

A police spokesman said: "For many years, Lothian and Borders Police have adopted a pragmatic approach to the policing of street prostitution.

"We do not condone prostitution, it puts women at risk and encourages crime and anti-social behaviour.

"We would prefer if it did not exist at all, however it is said to be the oldest profession in the world.

HIV infection

"Experience has shown that rigorous law enforcement does not eradicate the sex industry but at best displaces it or drives it underground where the worst excesses of criminal activity, drugs, extortion, blackmail, pimping and violence have free reign to prey."

Since the rapid spread of HIV infection in Edinburgh during the 1980s police have been more tolerant in allowing prostitutes to congregate in certain areas as it made the work of health agencies much easier.

But the police spokesman said that the current practice of dealing with the city's vice trade was "no longer tenable" in light of growing opposition.

The new "toleranze zone" is still in Leith

He said the Lothian and Borders force had worked closely with the city council, other politicians, prostitute support groups and health agencies to identify the alternative "tolerance zone" in Salamander Street.

The spokesman added: "No street will ever provide a suitable location for this type of activity.

"However, it is believed that this location has several advantages which will enable a safer environment to be created for both the prostitutes and the general public."

But an Edinburgh councillor, whose ward covers Salamander Street, said he was "unhappy" about the move.

Phil Attige said he felt the problem was being "dumped" in his area but hoped that it worked out.