People can't agree on whether schools should have CCTV in toilets

Wales Online readers have been responding to the story of a school in Wales fitting cameras in the communal areas of its toilets. You can read the original story here.

The school said several students requested the surveillance to discourage groups from "hanging round" by the sinks when they should be in class. The management at Archbishop McGrath Catholic High, a co-educational secondary school in Bridgend, has reassured parents that these cameras do not provide a view into cubicles or urinals.

One concerned mother had voiced her worries saying: "I am very concerned about this and how it impacts all students at the school. I think it is a total invasion of privacy, especially for children."

Bridgend Council said that the installation was prompted by requests from pupils, who are part of a "learner voice forum" where they propose enhancements to their school environment. A council spokesperson said: "All data protection regulations have been followed by the school and it's worth reiterating that none of the cameras are positioned to monitor toilets of any kind and that they have ultimately been installed to further enhance the safeguarding of learners."

Readers have been having their say in our comments section and while some didn't like it, others thought it was a great idea.

Reader Omg22 says: “It may make for uncomfortable reading to some, but if you were the parent of a child who was being bullied, these cameras will offer some reassurance of your child's safety. I personally don't see any issue where the cameras are positioned in this instance. I was in school in the '70s and a lot of bullying went on in the toilets. Nothing has changed 50 years later.

"To be fair, the cameras are only covering the communal hand wash and hand drying areas and not pointing into the toilet cubicles. You only have to walk down the street these days and you are watched by hundreds if not thousands of video doorbells and security cameras on people's houses. If you're not doing anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about."

Reader Violentrevoltnow disagrees: “We used to have teachers, prefects and group captains that used to kick the idle into action at the end of break. While there may be nothing to worry about, there is also nothing to applaud. Funds that could have been spent on improving facilities or possibly extra support staff wasted. Most school children already carry mobile phones with cameras, so have the opportunity to record incidents of bullying despite this not being mentioned as the reason for installation.”

MIKEYG67 asks: “That's against the law isn't it?” Fifth_account replies: “I would have said the same but a quick look on a UK.GOV site I found that there is no specific legislation that references the use of cameras in toilets. The Information Commissioner's Office has produced a blog on what needs to be considered prior to installing CCTV which considers the issue from a privacy and data protection perspective.”

Abdare66 is unhappy with the plan: “Shouldn't have cameras in a toilet at all, not good. Chris Wolfenden adds: “Invasion of privacy!” seg123 agrees: “If a business took this approach I'd certainly hesitate to use it. Seems very invasive to me. But CCTV is only good if someone is sat watching it. Historical recorded unwatched footage won't deter people from gathering!"

Youknowsit writes: “Toilets are the biggest cause for concern in my kids' schools. Bullying, harassment, vaping & truancy so bad that younger kids are too afraid to go to the toilet! As long as protocol is followed I have no objections." Shewolf9 agrees: “I think it's a good idea, as it will stop any bullying too!"

Daidrums adds: “Come to our school, I'm a caretaker - soap dispensers off walls, toilet seats ripped out, sinks filled with toilet roll, taps left on, coke cans down toilets, wet toilet rolls thrown at walls, graffiti and this is every week! Unfortunately cameras are the only way forward.”

Navinjohnson1 thinks: “It’s discipline. It’s the communal area. It teaches them to stop misbehaving. Big brother is watching, and of course the evidence it finds is indisputable. I hope more schools do it. The teachers must be the bosses.”

YvonneForsythe suggests: “What about putting the camera up in the hallway, high up near the ceiling facing the door. Yes they will see who goes in, but also will see who stays in the toilets for a whole lesson”. While Dyezee said: “Just employ a toilet monitor (staff) to check all the toilet blocks to discourage pupils from hanging around……or give the pupils detention for being late to class. The camera is OTT and not right.”

Has this issue affected you? Do you think toilets are the right place for CCTV cameras? Have your say in our comments section.