Loos in Porthcawl, south Wales, will feature weight sensors and sound alarms to stop anti-social use
The George Micheal memorial public toilets.
The facilities security features will also deter rough sleeping and vandalism.
The Welsh seaside town of Porthcawl is planning to install anti-sex public toilets that would spray occupants with water and sound an alarm.
Violent movement sensors would automatically open the doors and sound high-pitched alarms, with fine water jets soaking the interior. Weight-sensitive floors would ensure only one user could be in a cubicle at a time, to safeguard against “inappropriate sexual activity and vandalism”.
Porthcawl town council is spending £170,000 on the futuristic toilets in Griffin Park, according to WalesOnline. The planning documents detail a range of security features to deter rough sleeping, including an audible warning, combined with lights and heating being switched off.
All toilets would be fitted with a full high-pressure floor and wall washer which could be operated after every use, or after a certain number of users per day. Each night the toilets would close for 10 minutes while the unit undertakes a deep clean.
Visitors will have to pay to use the toilets but the charge has not been decided.
However, Twitter users have questioned how the systems, in particular the weight-sensitive floors, would work in practice.
One said: “Weight sensitive floors to detect more than one user? What baseline weight are they using? I’m easily the weight of two teenagers, and what about people who need assistance? I have to go in with my kids.”
Another added: “There are obvious serious questions about weight sensors, with potential for cruel humiliation of facility users.”
The existing facilities are due to close in October, while the demolition and construction of the new building takes place.
The George Micheal memorial public toilets.
