Council undecided over whether to lock the gates of Union Terrace Gardens

Following a second alleged sex attack in Union Terrace gardens in the space of two months, Aberdeen City Council are now being urged to lock the gates to the park at night.

Back in January, a 21-year-old woman was allegedly raped in Union Terrace gardens in the early hours of the morning.

No-one was arrested in relation to the first incident, but a 26-year-old man is in custody in relation to the most recent attack, which occurred on Sunday. The two incidents are not thought to be related.

Police were called to Union Terrace Gardens at approximately 4:40am on Sunday morning. The park remained closed throughout the following day as forensic investigations were carried out, mainly in two of the arches under the bridge.

The council’s SNP group has written to ask the chief executor that the park should be closed outside of daylight hours.

Councillors seem to be split in the decision to close the park overnight. Some are satisfied with increased police in the area and enforcing other such security measures in an attempt to ensure that the number of attacks does not continue to rise.

However some think that the old ways should be returned to and the gates should be locked. Councillor Bill Cormie told the Press and Journal: “It’s very sad to hear that another incident has happened down there. I think that it’s time that the council reconsiders its stance now, and lock the gates as they used to be. It’s attracting the wrong sort of people. I’ll certainly be speaking to officers about looking into locking the gates as we did in the past.”

In the meantime, tougher security measures are being followed around Union Terrace Gardens.

Stay safe Aberdeen.