A man’s body has been discovered in New Town

This morning, around 7:45am the body of a man was discovered on East London Street in Edinburgh.

The cause of this man's death is currently unknown, but the police are carrying out their investigation at the scene and will provide more information as and when they gather it.

Edinburgh Evening News have commented that: "The man, who is believed to be homeless, has died overnight sleeping on a mattress next to the bin". They also stated that "Police and Forensics have been in attendance since around 8am this morning, the man's death is being treated currently as unexplained."

A spokeswoman from Police Scotland also made a statement: "Police in Edinburgh are currently in attendance following the discovery of a man’s body in East London Street. The incident was reported to police and emergency services around 7.45am on Thursday, February 22. Inquiries are currently ongoing, and the death is being treated as unexplained. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal."

Only last week did a homeless man die outside the Houses of Parliament, and there are many other cases across the UK, as the number of rough sleepers continues to rise.

Yesterday it was announced that 600 of Scotland’s most vulnerable rough sleepers would be provided homes along with the support would need to sustain their tenancies. Social Bite pledged to take a minimum of 600 people out of homelessness over the course of the next 18 months, as well as to offer support for those suffering from mental ill-health issues and addiction.