Police want to deter the public from using lanes like this

Strathclyde Police and Glasgow City Council want to direct revellers to brightly lit main streets covered with CCTV as a pilot project.

The plan would be to close the lanes at certain times using temporary barriers.

Councillor Alex Mosson said: "The criminals make use of the privacy which lanes afford them. We hope to take away this opportunity from the criminals."

Mr Mosson said he is aware criminals have dragged members of the public into lanes and robbed them.

He added: "This is just one of the measures we hope will improve personal security in the city centre.

"It will enable people to be seen and feel more secure."

Glasgow city centre is built on a grid system which has created dozens of lanes.

City centre and west end crime Four murders 44 attempted murders 540 serious assaults 569 robberies and attempts 26 rapes 77 indecent assaults Figures for April 2004 to March 2005

The lanes to be cordoned off have still to be identified.

The pilot project is not expected to be up and running until the autumn.

Superintendent Alistair Finlay, of city centre police, said the pilot aims "to encourage" members of the public to stay on main routes.

He added: "Measures contained in this pilot include closing some lanes with gates during certain hours, improving lighting and making best use of CCTV.

"These proposals will need the agreement of proprietors who access these lanes.

"It is intended to make Glasgow a safe environment for all."