Aberdeen may get gates to prevent crime

31/03/2009

Gates could be installed at two lanes in Aberdeen after the council claimed they are hotspots for crime and antisocial behaviour, it has emerged.

The gates will be introduced to the lanes located at the Adelphi off Union Street if plans go ahead and councillors are to present a report on the area this week.

Officials have reported that the criminal activity may be linked to the ending of the prostitution tolerance zone in the harbour area, which may have forced sex workers into the city centre.

The gates will be locked in an attempt to prevent crime and antisocial behaviour and officials said that both local residents and businesses have so far supported the idea.

According to the AXA Business Crime Index, malicious damage, forcible theft and arson are on the rise.

It revealed that year-on-year numbers of crimes against businesses have increased by approximately ten per cent, with seven per cent of firms targeted in the last year.