Schools win go-ahead for loo cameras

COUNCIL chiefs have given the green light to controversial plans to allow West Lothian schools to install CCTV in toilets.

West Calder High and Whitburn Academy already have cameras that cover the sink areas of toilets.

Now West Lothian Council has given the go-ahead for any school to install them - as long as they consult parents and pupils first.

The move, which follows a consultation on the issue launched last month, has come as a surprise as the council had been expected to order bosses at the two schools to remove the cameras.

Daniel Hamilton, director of Big Brother Watch UK, said: "Any right-thinking person would conclude that monitoring school toilets with CCTV cameras is a gross invasion of children's privacy."

Council officials have said that footage is only viewed if there is a report of bullying.