This is the shocking moment that a drug-user was seen “shooting up” just yards from shoppers and office workers in the heart of Aberdeen.

The graphic images of drug abuse in Union Terrace Gardens sparked outrage last night.

Politicians demanded urgent police intervention to clear the needle-strewn makeshift campsite which has sprung up underneath the Granite City’s main thoroughfare.

And the city council came under fresh fire over its failure to revamp the area after throwing out Sir Ian Wood’s multimillion plans for the gardens three years ago.

An Aberdeen mum said she had witnessed regular drug abuse in the camp – which is clearly visible from Union Street and passing trains – and was now frightened to take her children into the park.

A police spokesman said officers had received a complaint from a member of the public and attended the site, but found no evidence of criminal behaviour at the time.

People go to work, as drug users top-up in Aberdeen city centre…

It’s 9.30am on a normal weekday in the middle of the oil capital of Europe.

While hundreds sit down at their desks to start the working day and shoppers on the city’s busiest street rush by just yards away, a drug addict injects himself in his tent in the city’s historic Union Terrace Gardens.

The disused former railway turntable in the sunken Victorian Park was once a feat of engineering.

Today it is littered with dozens of discarded needles, empty alcohol bottles, several sleeping bags and two grubby tents .

Picnic tables and benches have been dragged into the corner and graffiti is scrawled across the walls.

When the Press and Journal visited the site this week, the occupants were nowhere to be seen but needles and burnt spoons could be seen scattered inside the tents.

The shocking photograph was taken by an Aberdeen mum, who said she was frightened to take her children into the park since the camp was set up.

She said: “I work just across the road and have witnessed them injecting and discarding the needles.

“They are surrounded by rubbish and waste, they are defecating alongside and just generally being disgusting.

“So much is being done to promote the gardens as a family friendly place, but I know I will never set foot in it until I know they have been removed and the entire area thoroughly cleaned and checked for needles.”

While the gardens themselves are the property of Aberdeen City Council, the turntable is owned by Network Rail.

However, the question of who should be dealing with the illicit camp was in some doubt last night.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “The area in question is owned by the railway but located outwith its operational boundaries.

“The turntable site has recently been leased to a charity trust which intends to restore the site.

“We will liaise with the trust, council and police to address any inappropriate use of the land in the meantime.”

Council leader Jenny Laing said: “My understanding is that where the rough sleepers are is actually not on council property. I think it’s actually on the property of Network Rail.

“Obviously our officers have been working with others to come up with solutions, and the police are working with our officers and wardens to make sure any illegality is dealt with.

“I went on a walk there recently and I have to say the gardens were looking good.

“There have been improvements. I have to say on that walkabout I didn’t see any evidence of alcohol abuse or drugs.”

Midstocket/Rosemount councillor Bill Cormie said he had visited the area of the park recently.

He said: “I completely understand where this woman is coming from and if my daughter was younger I’d be concerned about bringing her down to that part of the gardens too.

“Just above the turntable is a really nice area that is used by a lot of dog walkers and families with young kids.

“I can see why people would be concerned about the needles problem. Surely somebody can do something to solve this.

“That area is owned by Network Rail so they and the council have to work together to find a solution.”

A police spokeswoman said officers had been made aware of the camp.

She said : “Police Scotland is aware of the matter and has received a complaint from a member of the public.

“Officers visited the site and established that there was no criminality at that time. The matter has been referred to Aberdeen City Council and Network Rail and arrangements are being put in place with the environmental health department to address any issues.

“We would encourage the public to report any concerns regarding ongoing criminality.”