Isle of Wight council closes gents toilet and makes ladies unisex

Locals on the Isle of Wight have said they fear pervert attacks after a council decided to designate a women's toilet unisex.

The council advised men to use the women's facilities after closing the men's toilets due to a spate of vandalism.

But one islander said when she went to use the loo by a popular beach she was 'confronted' by two men using cubicles with the 'door wide open', which made her 'uneasy and uncomfortable'.

And in a letter to the Lake Parish Council, Jeff Hewison, from Lake, said he would prefer the toilets near Sandown Beach were closed entirely instead of being unisex, and is concerned for his young niece if she needs to use them.

He said: 'I went to use the men's toilets at New Road in Lake and found a sign on the door saying to use the women's toilets as they are now unisex toilets.

'My concerns are that if my niece goes to use the toilets (she is 12) and there is a pervert in there and something happens.

'This is in no way acceptable, and to be honest, I would rather the toilets to either be fully closed or you open up the men's again.

'I think as a parent and as an uncle my concerns are in the right place and I suggest the men's toilets are opened ASAP.

'Many parents across the Island will agree with me.'

Linda Redfern, from Wootton on the island, said: 'How did I miss the massive sign outside the toilets opposite the pier in Sandown?

'I walked in to be confronted by two men using the first two cubicles with the doors wide open. I had to think for a moment - did I walk into the men's by mistake?

'I know I'm a bit long in the tooth, but I still felt very uneasy and uncomfortable.

'I won't go into the state of the loos. The only decent cubicle didn't even lock.

'I felt bad for our visitors on such a lovely beach day.

'Why did I then feel compelled to hang around when a young girl walked in in her swimwear? Surely it shouldn't be that way.

'Many families use the toilets to change into swimwear.'

Commenting online, Jenny Sharp said: '[The toilets] are off the main walk route, secluded in their own plot, nice and easy for anyone to hide in or near.

'Maybe whoever thinks this is a good idea will send their daughter to use the toilet, especially during the darker months. Because if they are willing to risk it, I most definitely am not.

'The Island has become a pervert paradise, almost weekly we read of a paedophile being arrested.

'Already we've heard of men urinating with the door open.

'This is the most dangerous of situations and needs rectifying immediately.'

Teresa Woodward said online: 'It's outrageous. I won't even let my young grandsons go to men's loos alone.'

However, not everybody on the Isle of Wight agrees.

Eddy Jenner said: 'Perverts are in all manner of places and are definitely not confined to public toilets.'

A lake Parish Council spokesperson today said: 'Lake Parish Council are in the process of replacing the current toilets at New Road, Lake, in part due to ongoing vandalism.

'New Road Toilets have been continually vandalised, with the plumbing broken in the Gents, doors kicked in and other damage.

'This is the most dangerous of situations and needs rectifying immediately.'

Teresa Woodward said online: 'It's outrageous. I won't even let my young grandsons go to men's loos alone.'

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