RESIDENTS are frustrated over delays on action to clamp down on a public toilet being used as a gay sex haunt at Bramhope.

A delay in police measures to ward off men performing indecent acts in the toilets, which are located between the Fox and Hounds pub and the tennis courts in the village, led to debate at the latest Bramhope Parish Council meeting.

But the measures, including a sign to notify of police surveillance, should be in place some time this week.

PC John Heys said that there was difficulty in proving that regular visitors who were observed visiting the toilets were doing so to commit illegal acts.

He said: "The problem with people noting car numbers is that there is no evidence that the drivers are doing anything wrong. You could be sat there eating your lunch and reading your paper and you use them and go.

"It is difficult to explain to people why it is difficult to actually do something."

Councillor Colin Robertson said that he sympathised with nearby residents as he had witnessed men visiting the toilets with a dubious enthusiasm.

He said: "I went to the shop and I saw this car that had been sat there for 20 minutes. Another car arrived and this man was out of that car and into that loo like a shot."

Coun Geoff Mills said that he would like to see the toilets closed for the good of nearby residents.

He said: "I am concerned about the people who live in the village and the children cycling and in-line skating around the car park as you expect them to do.

"Whatever these people want to do, they can do, but not in a public toilet where there are others around.

"Once again, I am sorry, my

colleagues, we are totally inactive in this. It is time we took some action. We are a laughing stock."

But Coun Jean Jackson commented: "I don't think you are

supported by the whole of the

village.

"You are by a few people around here, but not the majority."

And Chairman Coun John Mordy re-buffed the suggestion, saying that there was opposition to the closure of the toilets.

He said: "I think we have to be careful before we close what is a facility in the middle of the village. We are all unhappy about what is going on."

A further suggestion, by Coun Ron Stubbs, was that the nearby residents most concerned about the indecent activities in the toilet should be able to contact Weetwood Police Station to tell them when men were entering the block with the apparent intent of committing illegal acts.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.