Pensioners reprimanded for taking photos of a deserted paddling pool - because of paedophile fears

Southampton City Council said it was trying to strike a balance between protecting children who use the pool, the fear of paedophiles taking photographs and the community as a whole.

But staff would now be advised to use their discretion when seeing people taking photographs at the pool on Southampton Common, the council said today.

Shocked: Betty Robinson (l) and Brenda Bennett (r) were reprimanded for photographing this padding pool, which was deserted at the time

Betty Robinson, 82, and Brenda Bennett, 69, had taken snaps of the pool area when the female council worker ordered them to stop.

Mrs Robinson told the Southern Daily Echo: 'It's absolutely ridiculous. After asking why we couldn't take photos she told us those were the rules. It's pathetic - bureaucracy gone mad.

'I said is it because we might be paedophiles? There were no children in the pool but she pointed to a man and boys in the distance and said we could come back later at 6pm when the park was closed.

'We are just a couple of old ladies who wouldn't hurt children and we are certainly not paedophiles.'

Mike Harris, head of leisure and culture at Southampton City Council, said in a statement: 'I'm sorry if we have caused any offence on this occasion. We have to walk a fine line between protecting the children who use this popular paddling pool and the interests of the community as a whole.

'A lot of people are more concerned about the safety of their children these days so it is appropriate that our staff are aware of who is taking photos.'