Police are warning leisure centre users to watch out for a Peeping Tom who has been photographing women and children in a state of undress.

People using the changing room cubicles at the Olympiad in Chippenham have reported seeing a camera device held above or beneath the cubicle door as they get changed.

On one occasion the voyeur also stole a woman’s white pants.
Police are linking the three offences reported over the past seven months.

In the latest, on Thursday January 3, a 24-year-old woman saw a man’s bare feet beneath the door.

On Thursday, June 28, last year, an older woman said she had seen a black iPhone either photographing or filming her while she was naked inside a cubicle.

On Friday November 30 two people reported an unknown person taking pictures while young boys were getting changed at 7.45pm. None of the victims saw the person’s face.

Investigating officer Sergeant Phil Connor said for obvious reasons there were no security cameras in the changing rooms.

They had reviewed CCTV from the rest of the building after each incident, but had been unable to spot the pervert because of the high volume of customers.

Sgt Connor said: “We are appealing to members of the public who use the Olympiad to be vigilant and come forward straight away if they have experienced anything similar, or if they have seen anyone acting suspiciously in any of the changing rooms, even if it seems insignificant.

“This should be reported at the time to management at DC Leisure.

“We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who has witnessed individuals with a mobile phone in the changing room area.”

Police are working with Wiltshire Council, which owns the popular Olympiad building at Monkton Park, and DC Leisure, which runs the centre in partnership with the council.

Police have suggested ways to improve the leisure centre’s security. One idea was to install a turnstile system.

The Olympiad spent £20,000 on CCTV equipment in 2004 after a man was caught peeping at two nine-year-old girls in the unisex changing rooms.
To report an incident call 101 and ask for Sgt Phil Connor at Chippenham.