Mixed reaction to Ipswich's new no urination signs

The bold signs which read "not on our streets" have been spotted in Ipswich, encouraging residents to report any antisocial behaviour, including public urination. 

The signage is part of an initiative from Ipswich Borough Council to deter anti-social behaviour, including fly-tipping and littering. 

An example of the sign that have been put up in Ipswich. (Image: Jude Holden)

Councillor John Cook, who is a town centre ward member and portfolio holder for communties, said: "People know this sort of thing goes on, people don't like it, not unreasonably. 

Councillor John Cook (Image: Charlotte Bond)

"We are not trying to remind people that they shouldn't be doing it that is blatantly obvious, but it's more to show that the council and the people of Ipswich won't tolerate it. 

"It's to put that thought in people's minds and hopefully change some behaviours."

The signs received mixed reactions from residents and visitors in Ipswich on Tuesday.

Ipswich resident Andrew Peterson said he believed tpunishing people isn’t the best course of action and that the solution may involve a different course of action from the Borough Council.

He said: “Socially I think it's unacceptable.

"I think [the solution] is providing more public spaces for people to go,

"I would prefer people to have a space to go rather than just fining people.”

Public toilets in Ipswich town centre (Image: Newsquest)

This comes as a report from the Federation of Small Businesses’ (FSB) gave a number of recommendations to revitalise struggling high streets. 

One of the recommendations suggested that modern public toilets which are accessible and have baby changing facilities could encourage more people to come back to the high streets. 

Cllr Cook said; "I think we would say at the moment we haven't got plans to build new public conveniences nor have the financial resources to do so."

Chaz Noys thinks that freely available public facilities is 'basic' (Image: Newsquest)

Chaz Noys, 76, who was visiting the town from Romford said: "I think that [urinating] is a human need so public lavatories should be freely available.

"There are homeless people and others who don't have anywhere to turn to and need a place to go without being criminalised.

"This is something that every town should look out for. Public lavatories are having to close and we know that times are hard but there are human needs that need to be catered for and urinating is pretty basic.

"If you don't have a home to go to, or can't wander in elsewhere, then people need somewhere to go."