People on the Real Ale Trail through the Colne Valley are urinating in public.

A woman was caught on camera doing this which has sparked an online debate after they were posted onto a social media site.

Three pictures of what looks like a young woman crouching behind a wall near to a house in Station Road, Slaithwaite, appeared on Facebook.

Over 200 replies from Colne Valley residents using the Marsden page highlighted mixed reactions to the photos, which were taken to highlight discontent with the problem of continued public urination in the area when the ale trail from Batley to Stalybridge is in full flow.

Slaithwaite resident Steve Simpson posted the snaps which he said were forwarded on to the police as evidence of the problem.

Taken from a distance while the woman is visible her facial features are hard to make out but it seems clear what she is doing.

Steve, who has posted on several occasions about inappropriate behaviour by those taking part in the trail, said: “Shame them is my policy.

“Why should we be ashamed of showing these people doing what they do?

“I have been asked to report any anti-social behaviour I see regarding the ale trail. The police always ask if I have a picture.

“I have a camera so will snap and share and it will be for ever immortalised on the web.”

But some of those who commented online were less happy about sharing the photos online.

One of the images taken by Slaithwaite resident, Steve Simpson, of a woman he alleges was publicly urinating
One of the images taken by Slaithwaite resident, Steve Simpson, of a woman he alleges was publicly urinating

Nicola Janita McNicholls, said: “Reporting it to the police and posting it on a social network site are two separate things – very inappropriate behaviour on your part also you should remove (them).”

However, others came to his defence.

Glen Sykes, said: “(It’s) a continuation of a theme we see in Marsden every weekend – people with no regard for the village or its inhabitants.”

Several people, including Steve, suggested that public toilets should be installed to tackle the issue.

Commenting on the idea, Colne Valley Liberal Democrat councillor, Nicola Turner said: “It’s a really difficult issue.

“The council doesn’t have the funding to create public toilets and nor does the rail network operator but I will ask them to consider putting toilets in the stations if and when they are refurbished.

“If the person who posted the photos felt offended they should pass on information to the police but by placing them on social media instead of just reporting in writing what they’ve seen they risk offending more people which doesn’t make sense to me.”

Rural Neighbourhood Inspector Mark Trueman, who has been working since last year to tackle ale trail problems, said: “While the situation is improved, continued anti-social incidents such as people urinating in public are completely unacceptable and I would ask anyone who witnesses these offences to contact us so we can better target our patrols.

“Anyone caught urinating in public could be arrested for a public order offence, resulting in a possible court appearance and a criminal record.”