A popular Aberdeen shopping centre is to carry out bag searches today as premises across Scotland step up their security operations.
Union Square will carry out the “random cursory” searches throughout the day as the nation heads to polls for the General Election.
It comes just days after terror attacks in the centre of London left eight people dead and a further 48 injured and less than two weeks since the national terror threat was raised to ‘critical’.
The threat level has since been reduced to ‘severe’ but First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned the public to expect increased security measures to continue to be exercised across Scotland.
In a social media update posted earlier this morning, Union Square management wrote: “We would like to make customers aware that Union Square is operating random cursory bag searches and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
“It is important to note that this measure does not relate to any specific threat, but is part of our enhanced security procedures following recent events.
“The safety of our customers and colleagues remains our number one priority. Customers should remain alert but not alarmed, and should report anything suspicious to the police.”
Speaking at the time of the London attack, Ms Sturgeon said: “In terms of the Police Scotland response here, it is important to stress that there is no intelligence of any specific threat to Scotland.
“However, the police will ensure appropriate protective security measures are implemented.”
She added: “At what I know is an anxious time, my message to the public is to be vigilant, report anything of suspicion to the police – but otherwise continue to live your lives as normal.”