A Glasgow mum feels unsafe at an NCP car park due to used needles, drugs, and people passed out.
The 33-year-old works in hospitality and wants to stay anonymous for now. She often sees people passed out in the stairwell, and men have approached her while parking her car. This happens at the NCP Glasshouse in Merchant City.
She thinks more should be done for safety, as car park users like her pay to use the space, spending about £200 each month. Her work is close to the car park, and sometimes, she works until 3 or 4 AM.
She walks into the car park alone at times like that. Once, she saw four men with needles in their arms and had to stand over them because the lift was broken, so she had no other choice.
Blood stained the walls and rails and burned foil covers the floors, she added. These incidents happen often, she explained. Sometimes she brings her daughter and has to carry her over needles.
People block the entrances at times, so she can’t get through the door. This car park is the only place she can park, and other young women who work for her are also having the same problem.
She pays a lot to park there but feels unsafe and wonders about the mindset of drug users. She feels unsafe, despite being street-smart.
The mom complained to NCP many times this past year, but nothing has changed since then. She thinks the car park is in poor condition, especially for being in the city center.
She started her job last April, and the problems started a year ago too. She followed their procedure and complained three times, and her coworkers have also complained. She covers her hands when she touches things and saw urine dripping down the stairs, adding that the car park feels vile to her overall.
NCP said they are trying to address issues and want to stop anti-social behavior at the car park. A spokesperson said this affects the entire area, and their buildings are open to the public; therefore, these behaviors happen.
They increased staff patrols in the area and plan to replace doors. New secure entry should restrict access. Staff are car park operators, not police, so they can only ask people to leave and then call the police about it.
The team cleans up debris when they see it and want to prevent trespassing and anti-social acts. They know this impacts everyone there.
Police Scotland was also contacted for a response.