A mum says she feels “violated” after discovering a CCTV camera inside a baby changing toilet at a major UK shopping centre. West Lothian mum Amy Mitchell, 24, shared her distressing experience and revealed that she had contacted the management demanding the removal of the camera.
She alleged that there was no prior warning about the cameras in use near the baby changing facilities at Livingston Designer Outlet, just 18 miles away from Edinburgh. It was only after using the bathroom that she noticed a warning on the back of the door.
Feeling ‘disgusted’ by the incident, Amy has since called for a boycott of the toilets and an apology, as she felt her concerns were dismissed by the management.
Livingston Designer Outlet acknowledged the ‘concerns raised regarding the location of CCTV installations within the centre’ and are now reviewing their CCTV usage within the premises, reports Edinburgh Live.
It is believed that the CCTV was installed to deter youths from vandalising and behaving antisocially within the baby changing facilities at the shopping centre.
She said: “I took my little boy into the changing facility and it wasn’t until after I had left that I saw the CCTV notice and camera. I contacted the designer outlet’s customer service, and the lady put me through to the deputy manager.
“I spoke with him on the phone briefly before he came down to speak to me face to face as I was that angry. The deputy manager told me the camera is there to monitor antisocial behaviour by teenagers who have been wrecking the baby change facilities and attacking the outlet staff.”
But Ms Mitchell said she still didn’t believe it was “reason enough” to have an active camera operating in the baby change area. “I added that the camera would be better outside of the facility as it captures the same thing,” she said.
“I also suggested a key instead of the camera and was told it was ‘a very 1920’s thing to do’. I told the deputy manager I would not be letting this lie and that it’s totally unacceptable to have a camera in there.”
“There is also a mirror on the back of the door which the camera points to and the baby change is on the same wall, so you can more than likely see a reflection. I was given petty excuses and no apology.
“I felt disgusted that my son had been in that baby change and I just felt totally violated by the whole situation as I’m sure many other parents do too.” Amy rallied support against the use of CCTV in the toilets by sharing her ordeal on Facebook.
The alarmed mum’s post on Facebook went viral, racking up 1,700 shares and sparking over 1,000 comments.
She warned fellow parents: “If you’re a parent, I’d boycott the toilets up beside Vue Cinema as they think it’s acceptable to stick CCTV in the BABY CHANGE. Spoke to the deputy manager who informed me they don’t face the toilets, only the inside of the door to monitor who’s going in and out – if that’s the case put a camera outside the toilet?”.
“Btw the CCTV notice isn’t even on the outside of the door, you’re only informed by this piece of paper once you’re actually in there. There’s no excuse to stick a camera in any toilet especially one where children are.”
Responding to the uproar, a spokesperson for Livingston Designer Outlet stated: ”We are aware of concerns raised regarding the location of CCTV installations within the centre. We are committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for all our visitors and staff and are reviewing any concerns raised regarding the use of CCTV.”
