Security gates are being placed in alleys in the city centre of Glasgow, the aim being to cut crime.
The metal gates are being installed in Sauchiehall Lane and Waterloo Lane as part of a pilot project. Police identified both areas as being hot spots for crime and anti-social behaviour.
Sauchiehall Lane, which runs between Elmbank Street and Charing Cross, was gated in July 2006 because of vandalism and people causing trouble at night. Since they were installed, there have been no crimes in that area.
How
Council workers close the gates at 11pm every Friday and Saturday and reopen them at 6am the next morning. Anyone trying to enter the alley without good reason will be challenged and may be arrested. Businesses who back on to the lanes have been consulted, police and the council say. Other secluded alleys have been upgraded, with better lighting at night to help cut trouble.
Crime pattern
Chief Superintendent David Christie, divisional commander of City Centre and West Division, said:
"We looked at the profile of crime in the city centre and a number of lanes have been identified through crime pattern analysis as being a particular problem. Over 700 crimes a year, ranging from serious incidents such as rape and robbery to minor assaults, happen in lanes. This scheme will allow us to make the city centre a safer place by compelling people to stay in well-lit areas, many of which are covered by CCTV."
Nite Zone
The scheme is one of a number of initiatives introduced by city centre police, Glasgow City Council and partner agencies to combat crime and reassure the public. These include the Nite Zone, which uses taxi marshals in ranks in Gordon Street and Sauchiehall Street, and high visibility policing at peak times.
What they say
Councillor Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "Every week, hundreds of thousands of people visit the city centre’s facilities without any problems. We are doing everything we can to make this the case for everyone enjoying a night out."
