'Lewd behaviour' sees toilet block closed

The Wood Street toilets in Arnold will be closing "imminently"

Public toilets in a Nottinghamshire town centre are to close on the recommendation of the police following incidents of "lewd and anti-social behaviour".

The Wood Street toilets in Arnold have been run by Gedling Borough Council since the 1980s.

However, the authority says incidents related to anti-social behaviour and vandalism have been increasing over the past few years.

A council spokesman said the toilets would be closing "imminently", with signs due to go up soon.

'Attracting outsiders'

A council report published on Friday said: "Not only are there budget constraints but considering the nature of the anti-social behaviour incidents, it is not deemed safe to keep these facilities open.

"Over recent months there have been issues with drug use, intimidation and/or significant vandalism to fixtures and fittings, as well as graffiti.

"The most recent and serious incident resulted in a recommendation from Nottinghamshire Police to close the public conveniences due to the lewd activities being carried out at the site which appear to be attracting people from outside the borough for no other reason.

"In order to protect the public from such anti-social behaviours it is therefore recommended, in conjunction with Nottinghamshire Police's recommendation that the public conveniences at Wood Street are closed permanently."

The Labour-led authority says it recently opened new public toilets at King George V Recreation Ground.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said the facilities at the park included a specialist bathroom and two accessible unisex toilets, both of which feature baby changing facilities.

The authority considered an access control system, as well as security at Wood Streets toilet, however it said the cost would be too significant.