Female fan 'violated' after spotting CCTV in women's toilet at Football League ground

She immediately shared her concerns on social media platform X, posting: "Sat on the toilet at Swindon away and notice a CCTV camera right above me."

Her post quickly gained traction online, accumulating approximately two million views.

League Two Swindon responded that the camera, located in the away section of the Arkell's Stand, was fitted with motion blur technology to ensure supporters using the toilets were not visible.

The English Football League noted that clubs must have CCTV inside their stadiums to comply with safety regulations.

Vicki Eyles, Swindon Town's fan engagement officer, addressed the issue, stating: "Sorry for the inconvenience, I am more than happy to contact you in more detail but please be assured this has been run past the EFL and there is digital blur for the toilets, it is for the use of the concourse."

However, the Birmingham City supporter shared her concerns with Birmingham Live, saying: "At first I just thought 'oh this is odd' and then it sort of hit me that someone could be looking into the cubicle. It made me feel very exposed and, quite honestly, a little violated."

MORE LIKE THIS:

• Mother, 47, lay dead in restaurant toilet for three days before body discovered
• Welsh council hires £45k-a-year diversity role after closing half of its public toilets to cut costs
• Woke council sparks furious row after installing gender neutral toilets and removing female-only loos

She further explained: "I understand they want to be able to monitor what's happening in the concourse, but having it over women's toilets is not right."

The fan raised concerns about potential security risks: "They claimed it was blurred so you can't see what is happening in there, but to me that is not enough. Someone could easily remove the blur if they wanted to or what happens if it fails?"

Swindon Town has issued a detailed statement addressing the concerns, explaining the camera's positioning is intended to monitor "the away kiosk, the segregation between home and away fans as well as the emergency exit staircase and concourse."

The club emphasised that the camera "does not have a view into the toilets" due to a digital privacy blur installed by security professionals.

They confirmed the CCTV system is operated by licensed security personnel under safety officer supervision and sometimes Wiltshire Police.

The club noted they had previously increased CCTV signage throughout the away end following similar concerns during an AFC Wimbledon fixture last season.

While maintaining their current arrangements comply with data protection legislation, Swindon Town committed to investigating "additional measures as soon as possible to allay fans concerns."