Gates aim to keep revellers away from dark secluded lanes

Back lanes in Glasgow city centre are being gated and closed between 2300 BST and 0600 BST to improve safety.

Police said about 700 crimes from rape and robbery to minor assault are committed in alleyways each year.

The move follows a successful pilot which saw two heavy metal gates installed in Sauchiehall Lane. No crime was committed during the trial period.

The lane was closed between Elmbank Street and Charing Cross.

Waterloo Lane is the second lane being considered for gating.

Other secluded alleys have been given extra lighting to boost safety.

Chief Supt David Christie said: "A number of lanes in the city have been identified through crime pattern analysis as being a particular problem.

"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."

Glasgow City Council leader Steven Purcell added: "Every week hundreds of thousands of people visit the city centre without any problems.