GAY men are being warned by police not to meet in toilets behind Cobham Primary School because surveillance is being stepped up.

Officers are now calling for homosexuals who are believed to have used the toilet block as a meeting place for more than a year to find somewhere else to go.

Concerns were raised recently when the school's harvest festival was disturbed by noise from the block and condoms were later found on the floor.

But despite calls from villagers to close the loos in The Street, the council says it has no plans to do so because they are an important "public utility". Instead, there are plans to shorten the toilet doors, put up warning signs within the next week and increase surveillance.

Sgt Rod Chapman said: "Police patrols will be visiting the block on an ad hoc basis. We have a responsibility to members of the public when children are likely to be affected. We appreciate gay men want to meet but I would say they should find somewhere else to go because meeting near a primary school is not acceptable."

Headteacher of Cobham Primary School Gerald Sperling explained some parents want the toilets to be closed.

He said: "I've been aware of activity in the toilets for about a year but I've personally not seen anything. Some parents want the block closed but I don't think the council will close it."

A Gravesham Council spokesman explained that although there have been rumours about gay men hanging around in the toilets, no calls have been made to the council and the council has no intention of closing the block.

She said: "We will be vigilant. We will make sure the toilet doors are closed at 6pm and we are planning to shorten the door. Signs warning of increased police surveillance will also go up within one week. But we have no plans to close the toilets."

November 6, 2001 11:25

Emma Coutts-Wood