Police raid well-known cruising spot in Edinburgh after reports of 12 men having sex
An uncle and his six-year-old nephew reported the cruising spot to police
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
Police have raided a well-known gay cruising spot in Edinburgh after reports of “lewd behaviour” in front of visitors.
The public toilets at the foot of the Mound in the Scottish capital were raided by police earlier this week after an uncle and his six-year-old nephew claimed they saw a group of up to 12 men performing sex acts.
The man told Edinburgh News: “I totally understand that cruising happens in every city but to do it in the public view takes it to another level.”
The 32-year-old man went on to say that they saw one man “crouched down at another’s groin” while around 10 more were pleasuring themselves.
He continued: “I just quickly walked out. Luckily I had my nephew over my shoulder facing the other direction. I was just so taken aback.
“I think from now on I’ll be using toilets within premises as I don’t want to experience anything like that again.
“It really concerns me that if a child not with an adult was to go into the toilets what situation is that? Children go back to parents and say they’ve seen things.
“Wouldn’t that then make a parent think someone intentionally indecently exposed themselves to a child?”
Following reports, police descended upon the toilets and a member of the LGBT community added: “Two guys were being questioned outside but there was a crowd of guys that came running out just as the police went in.
“We used to always keep telling guys to stop the cruising. There is a sauna for that, but they don’t listen.
“I’m gay myself and kind of embarrassed by it.”
A council spokeswoman said: “The council employs a mobile squad of attendants who visit and clean public toilets around the city seven days a week, as has been the case for some time.
“Any inappropriate behaviour witnessed in public toilets should be reported to Police Scotland.”