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Edinburgh's iconic Calton Hill is being littered with 'used condoms and bottles of poppers' as residents fear it is becoming unsafe in wake of a sex attack at the dogging hotspot .

The World Heritage site is famed for its panoramic views but has become popular with men propositioning strangers in broad daylight, neighbouring residents claim.

Cops are investigating a sex attack which happened in the early hours of October 11, when a 25-year-old man reported being assaulted.

In October last year, a 50-year-old man was attacked at the beauty spot, prompting police to cordon it off.

Door-to-door enquiries are being carried out in the wake of the latest sex crime.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a resident who lives nearby said: "It's related to the stuff that goes on in Calton Hill after hours.

"You find used condoms, lube and empty bottles of poppers littered about.

"You hear noises and you see guys parked in their cars, flashing their lights and then they're off on the hill and come back to drive off.

"There's activity during the day - there are guys you see regularly.

"One must be in his 50s with a little backpack on.

"He hides behind trees, approaching men who are obviously looking for some action at lunchtime.

"One of the officers told me there've been several serious incidents up there and now there's talk of potentially having to patrol the hill.

"The only time I've seen a likely patrol up there was during talk of potential protests against Trump.

"That's a World Heritage site up there and yet there are no lights on the hill - that's the other problem.

"So if something goes wrong up there, it's difficult to access.

"There's a nice new restaurant up there and people go there sightseeing and there's all this going on. It should be safe.

"There needs to be infrared CCTV at all accesses to the hill."

The US consulate backs on to Calton Hill from Regent Terrace, one of several streets lined with affluent homes surrounding the site.

Despite getting a lottery grant to develop Calton Hill, residents say the area has been neglected with path lights not working and litter ignored.

Chair of the residents' group, Carol Nimmo, who has lived in the exclusive area for 20 years, said in the past couple of years Calton Hill had become a notorious hotspot for outdoor liaisons.

Ms Nimmo said: "It's really sad to think here we are again.

"This is a serious backwards step.

"It's only come back the last couple of years.

"It's a shame and disappointing because it makes you feel quite unsafe."

She called for extra maintenance at the site, and added: "I know the council is struggling with its budget but you can't create new tourism sites and not look after them."

Detective Inspector Ross Duthie of the Public Protection Unit confirmed a 25-year-old man reported being sexually assaulted early last Friday.

He added: "Inquiries are ongoing."