York Reports 4,194 Street Urination Incidents, Plans Fines

A report from the City of York Council revealed that a lack of public toilets contributes significantly to the issue of street urination and defecation, with 4,194 reported incidents in 2023-2024. The council is considering implementing £100 fines as a cost-effective measure to address the problem, which has garnered support from 83% of consultation respondents. However, a significant portion of the public has attributed the increase in street sanitation issues to insufficient toilet facilities, with ongoing challenges in providing these amenities. The council has initiated discussions with local businesses about allowing public access to their restrooms, potentially expanding the initiative to nighttime operations. Despite the alarming statistics, only a handful of prosecutions have been made, highlighting the need for better facilities as a long-term solution. The report underscores the importance of accessible public toilets as a public health measure, with an executive council meeting scheduled to further address these concerns.