Sign warns against pooing in public at beauty spot

A warning sign urging people against defecating in public has been put up between Needham Lake and the Needham Car Boot site

An unusual sign has appeared at a beauty spot in Suffolk, prompting concerns people are pooing in public.

The warning sign, between Needham Lake and the Needham Car Boot site, depicts a figure squatting, seemingly going to the toilet.

It has sparked fears that some locals are defecating and leaving behind human faeces in an area frequented by young children and dogwalkers.

Mid Suffolk District Council confirmed to the BBC it was "aware of previous complaints in relation to this issue", but said the sign did not belong to the authority.

"It's disgusting, there's toilets so I don't see why people would do this," said 25-year-old Jake Campeny.

"I don't think there is much you can do to stop people doing it, because if they want to do it then they will do it.

"You wouldn't have thought this would happen in Needham Market."

Needham Lake visitor Luke Wells said pooing in public amounted to "indecent exposure"

Luke Wells, 28, said anyone caught pooing in public should be punished accordingly.

"That's disgusting to do in front of the public and they should be penalised and punished for it because that's indecent exposure," he said.

Public toilets are accessible at Needham Lake and the nearby Needham Car Boot site

Nina Ceretti, 74, said she did not think anything could be done to stop the issue

Nina Ceretti, 74, said: "It's just people being lazy isn't it.

"If I saw it I would just be disgusted, but when people want to do it, they do it.

"I just despair with most people these days."

Mark Haring said there was "no excuse" not to use the public toilets provided

Mark Haring, 39, also said he had "never seen anyone squat down" in the area but, if he did, he too would be "disgusted".

"There's toilets at the café, so there's no excuse at all," he said.

Some council-authorised signs are located around Needham Lake, urging visitors to "use the toilets"

While the sign was not put up by Mid Suffolk District Council there are some signs that have been, which read "please respect our country park and use the toilets".

The authority urged anyone who sees "criminal activity or anti-social behaviour" to report it to Suffolk Police.

"Unfortunately, a small number of people choose not to comply with the rules and guidelines for visitors on site," a spokesperson said.

"Our council staff and rangers continue to work with the police to tackle any anti-social behaviour to ensure it doesn't threaten the enjoyment of the site for other visitors, or the local community."