Ilkley police have shown they are not prepared to accept open displays of homosexuality in the town's public toilets.

A number of arrests have been made following a recent 'swoop' on the Riverside Gardens toilets.

Inspector Alison Bennett said officers had made arrests for acts of importunity in the toilets.

She said: "This is a situation which will not be tolerated. We have to have a situation where children are able to use the

toilets safely in the Riverside Gardens area."

"I myself have been contacted by one gentleman who wanted to take his grandson to the toilet down there but was too disgusted by what he saw," she said.

Insp Bennett said the lack of toilet facilities in Ilkley made it difficult for parents to find alternative sites. "Children are not encouraged to enter licensed premises of course," said Insp Bennett.

The move to stamp out the behaviour follows complaints from tourists, residents and parish councillors alike.

The long running issue came to prominence once again in June. A visitor from Lancashire was revolted by explicit homosexual graffiti after visiting into the Riverside Gardens toilets.

Coun Alec Henderson (Con, Ben Rhydding), chairman of Ilkley Parish Council, said: "I am pleased that some positive action has been taken by the police. I deplore the activities which have been taking place. We do not want it in a tourist area. It can only have a

detrimental effect."

Coun Henderson said one possible solution was to

provide an attendant and those wishing to use the facilities would have to pay a small charge. Since the graffiti incident was reported in June, Bradford Council has painted over the offending material.

Last week, the Gazette revealed the Council's plan to upgrade the central car

park toilets and provide an attendant.

These measures do not go far enough for councillors

anxious to see the wider issue of toilet facilities in the town dealt with.

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