Community leaders have said they are “appalled” by allegations of indecent sexual behaviour occurring during the day at public toilets in Baildon.

Police are now monitoring the area around the toilets in Northgate, which are close to a children’s play centre, after officers were called to reports of a man behaving inappropriately inside.

An employee of a nearby business, who did not want to be named, said he had been aware of the issue for more than a year with up to six men regularly frequenting the toilets around lunchtime.

He said: “For months and months we have seen people trotting in and out four times in an hour and you wonder what’s going on.

“If you come up here at lunch time you see four or five people going in to the toilets and after about five or ten minutes coming out one by one. There’s something going on in there.

“It seems to be from noon until about 2pm but we see them at other times of the day too. The police coming hasn’t made any difference. I thought it might put them off but I saw three people yesterday.”

Councillor Debbie Davies (Con, Baildon) said: “It’s a huge concern. I don’t think you would expect that sort of thing to be happening in broad daylight in Baildon.

“It’s appalling, it’s definitely something that needs more attention. If the police take some action hopefully it will stop them doing it.”

Councillor Roger L’Amie, (Con, Baildon) also raised concerns about the allegations.

He said: “What consenting adults do within the privacy of their own homes is, within reason, their concern but if it exposes the public, or particularly young people, to inappropriate behaviour then that has be deplored.”

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman confirmed officers had been called to the toilets at about 12.50pm last Thursday, following reports of inappropriate behaviour.

He said police had spoken to a man present at the toilets and submitted an intelligence report to officers at Shipley Neighbourhood Policing Team, who will be monitoring the area.

Inspector John Tatham, of Shipley NPT, said: “We have not had complaints from the public about long-standing issues of this nature at these toilets, but if anyone has concerns or intelligence about offences there we would ask them to contact us at the Shipley NPT on the 101 non emergency number.”