The manager of the McColl's store in Old Town next to the alley where a sexual assault happened has called for lighting to be installed. 

Nikki Moore, who runs the newsagents in Old Town, fears the area is becoming a magnet for criminals.

“It needs to have more lighting down there because it’s completely dark all the time,” said

READ MORE: Man arrested on suspicion of rape

“Staff members all go out the front. They don’t go out the back at night because, as I said, it’s pitch black, so they don’t like going out there."

A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape after an attack on a woman last night. He has since been released under investigation.

The incident, which saw a woman in her 40s assaulted, happened at around 11pm in the alleyway behind McColls just off Victoria Road.

“That’s probably about the second time in six months a sexual assault has happened,” Nikki added.

She said that there had been a recent increase in criminal activity in the area on weekends.

“There’s a lot more people around, and everyone knows it’s a dark spot. So everything happens down there, from drugs to assaults, and not just sexual assaults there’s other assaults going on down there as well.”

The suspect involved in last night’s attack remains in custody.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and quote reference number 54190099358.