Bouncer plan for city taxi ranks

Marshals would keep an eye on city revellers

Taxi ranks in Aberdeen are set to be patrolled by bouncers over Christmas in a bid to reduce drink-related crime.

Licensed pub and club door stewards would be used on the city's five main ranks.

The pilot project was suggested by the Safer Aberdeen group, which includes Aberdeen City Council, Grampian Police and the City Centre Partnership.

A final decision on the scheme is expected to take place on 14 December, in time for the festive period.

Aberdeen City Centre Partnership's Tom Moore said: "We are considering marshalling taxi ranks to prevent the problems that arise from queue-jumpers and alcohol-associated problems.

It will provide the public with a feeling of safety and will encourage more taxi drivers to come out Tom Moore Aberdeen City Centre Partnership

"Drink and crowds and queues are not a good mixture in anyone's book and even the most well-behaved drunks can become aggravated.

"People can look at the scheme in two ways; it will provide the public with a feeling of safety and will encourage more taxi drivers to come out."

Mr Moore added that the marshals would be there to help stop trouble, while the police would continue to deal with those committing crimes.

A spokesman for Aberdeen City Council said: "Discussions looking at possible ways of improving security measures at the major taxi ranks in the city have been taking place, and one of the suggestions is employing taxi-rank marshals."

A Grampian Police spokesman said the force was backing the scheme.

He said: "We have had problems in the past at taxi ranks, normally related to an over-consumption of alcohol."

The force added that the marshals would not come under their control and that there were still issues to be clarified before the initiative was agreed.