The area is being given extra attention at nights following complaints from residents in Morgan Street and Morgan Place in Stobswell.

People have reported seeing men approaching women.

Local councillor Elizabeth Fordyce expressed “grave concerns” and police have warned they would take a “hard line” on this sort of behaviour.

One resident said, “Morgan Street is now getting used by prostitutes on a nightly basis.

“This has been reported to the police but nothing is getting done.

“They are here from as early as 7 pm. They are using the closes at the entrance to Morgan Place and once being picked up, cars come into the square to turn.

“The quiet cul-de-sac is full of kids and it’s causing great concern.”

Councillor Fordyce believes a police crackdown on prostitution activity in Blackscroft and Broughty Ferry Road could be the reason they have moved to Stobswell.

“The fact there are a lot of young people and vulnerable families in that area does concern me,” she said.

“The regeneration of the area is already under way with the £3.25 million grant to refurbish Baxter Park.

“We don’t want the sex trade plied in a place where we hope to attract families,” continued Councillor Fordyce.

“It’s the kind of clients the profession can attract rather than the girls that worry me.

“The girls themselves, in most cases, are needing help and support to deal with the various reasons that they have chosen this way of life.

“They won’t harm a young person but the type of client they have . . . you never know.”

The councillor also expressed concern that kerb crawlers, looking for business, could accost innocent women.

“We have been working hand-in-hand with the police to make it a better place to live and building up the confidence of residents,” she said. “We don’t want anything that could compromise that.”

A Tayside Police spokeswoman said, “We are making inquiries into complaints that prostitutes are working in the Morgan Street and Morgan Place areas.

“The area is being given extra attention and anyone who witnesses any prostitution taking place should get in touch with us on 01382 223200.”

There was a noticeable rise in prostitute activity in the Blackscroft and Broughty Ferry Road areas of Dundee last year, resulting in complaints from residents.

Uniformed and plain-clothes police carried out regular high-visibility and covert patrols to tackle the problem and a number of people were reported to the procurator fiscal.

Street prostitution is not regarded as a major problem in Dundee.

Around 5000 women work in the sex trade in Scotland, including 1400 street prostitutes.