HORRIFIED swimmer Jacqueline Owen has called for better security at Radcliffe Baths after being confronted by a man while she was naked in the changing rooms.
The incident happened about 1pm last Thursday and Mrs Owen claims that staff at the pool failed to treat the matter seriously.
"I was in a cubicle getting dry when the man walked in and made eye contact with me. There was no-one else around and I felt extremely uncomfortable," she said.
"It looked like he was on his way out, but when I looked up again he was stood there watching me. I was naked from the waist up."
Mrs Owen (43), of Lily Hill Street, Whitefield, asked the man what he was doing and he claimed he was looking for his sister.
Angry
"I was very angry and told him to get out. He approached me with a rolled-up newspaper in his hand and I backed off, but fortunately, at that moment, another lady entered the changing rooms and he left."
Mrs Owen complained to an attendant but was dissatisfied with the response.
"She said she had seen the man leave the building and said she didn't approach him because 'you never know these days'. I couldn't believe it. She didn't take it seriously at all and just jotted down my name on a scrap of paper." Mrs Owen then demanded to see the manager who logged her complaint.
"I suggested that the police should be told, but the manager said I could go and tell them if I wanted to. Which I did."
She added: "I was disgusted by how blase the staff at the pool were about it. This pervert could be going in the changing rooms every day. There are young girls that use the changing rooms."
Mrs Owen has vowed never to use Radcliffe Baths again.
"Security is not taken seriously. The staff should be more vigilant," she said.
PC Andy Hall, of Radcliffe Township, said: "Although no offence was committed, what happened is of concern. I have spoken to Radcliffe Baths about security being improved." A spokesman for Bury Council said: "This was an unfortunate incident and we have every sympathy for the lady concerned. Our staff responded to her complaint immediately and filled in an official incident report form. The police were obviously made aware of the situation and the pool manager has discussed the incident with the investigating police officer."
He added: "Our staff are now on the alert about this intruder."
The man was in his late 20s/early 30s, of slight build, around 5ft 8ins tall, with greasy, dark hair. He was wearing a denim jacket and a tie.
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