A SOUTHAMPTON supermarket has submitted plans to removed its public toilets due to increased levels of "substance abuse" and fear of danger.

Sainsbury's on Shirley High Street has submitted an application to Southampton City Council to remove the public toilets.

They say that staff can "no longer manage" the facility due to fear of abusive behaviour and danger, as well as reports of substance abuse taking place in the stalls.

However the plans have been met with anger from local residents who are objecting the plans to remove the facilities.

A statement in the application states: "In recent years, there has been a significant increase in anti-social behaviour associated with the use of the in-store toilet facilities in the Sainsbury’s store.

"This primarily relates to substance abuse and it has reached a level whereby the store’s colleagues can no longer manage the facility safely and without fear of abusive behaviour and danger.

"In the absence of sufficiently available law-enforcement support, the store has had to take the regrettable decision to permanently close the toilets to protect the public and the safety of its own colleagues."

A spokesperson from Sainsbury's told the Daily Echo that the safety of their colleagues and customers istheir "highest priority", adding that the decision to close the Shirley toilets was "difficult".

The plans have been met with outrage from locals with 17 objection letters already submitted.

Mrs Nerissa Thompson said in a letter to the council: "As a mother of young children there is absolutely no way I can consider visiting Shirley without access to a public toilet.

"I'm sure I can speak on behalf of many other people who rely on these toilets when visiting Shirley. If these were to close then the Council have a responsibility to provide alternative public toilets."

In another objection letter, Ms Lorraine Buchan said: "Personally I haven't witnessed the anti social behaviour when using these toilets, however I'm sure it does go on - sadly.

"Sainsbury's need to step up and subcontract the cleaning and security of the toilets if they are unable to manage it themselves.

"If the council are to approve this variation in conditions then the council must make provision for public toilets, either directly controlled by the council or subcontracted to a private company."