A YOUNG mum has said she has been left “disgusted” after spotting a CCTV camera inside a baby changing toilet at a Scottish shopping centre.
Amy Mitchell, 24, said she was furious when she saw a small sign inside the bathroom as Livingston Designer Outlet on Tuesday.
She had used the facility to change her son and only noticed the warning on the back of the door as they went to leave.
Amy slammed the outlet in West Lothian and demanded that the camera be removed by management.
The mum explained that there was no warning about the creepy cameras outside the bathroom, which was near the VUE cinema.
And she has taken to social media to urge other parents to boycott the toilers and called for an apology from bosses.
Amy claimed that when she contacted management, they brushed her concerns aside and said the cameras “don’t face the toilets”.
But she has been left feeling “disgusted” and “violated” with other parents adding “this is not right”.
Amy told Edinburgh Live: “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.
“I told him I still didn’t think it was reason enough to have a camera in a baby change. I added that the camera would be better outside of the facility as it captures the same thing.”
She added: “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’s post on Facebook read: “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 & 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!”
It quickly racked up more than 600 likes, 1,300 comments of support and 1,900 shares.
And other parents flocked to the comments to share their concerns.
I felt disgusted that my son had been in that baby change and I just felt totally violated by the whole situation
Amy Mitchell
One person said: “I was actually using this toilet with my niece the other day and didn’t notice the sign until i was walking out and had no idea what to even do thinking they have basically got a video of me and my two-year-old niece doing the toilet.”
Another added: “Sorry what?!?! That’s insane how is this even allowed”.
Someone else wrote: “They shouldn’t have any excuse for having a camera in there!! And with kids, we all know what they’re like if you have any, if they’re getting changed or doing the toilet there is a high chance their bottoms will be at their ankles running about as well. It’s just not right either way”.
A fourth chimed in: “It’s so wrong, makes you feel sick”.
While a fifth posted: “Get this fixed, this is disgusting that this has been allowed!!!”
There’s no excuse to stick a camera in any toilet especially one where children are!
Amy Mitchell
Livingston Designer Outlet said they received complaints from the public and will now be reviewing their policy.
Police launched a probe into the placement of the CCTV cameras at Livingston Designer Outlet after receiving numerous complaints.
But the force told The Scottish Sun that they found that the CCTV cameras did not cover any private areas and no criminality had been established.
A spokesperson for Livingston Designer Outlet told the Scottish Sun: “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.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 11.10am on Wednesday, 10 April 2024, we received concerns regarding CCTV within the baby changing area at shopping outlet at Livingston.
“The CCTV did not cover any private areas.
“Enquiries were carried out and no criminality has been established.”