Ref. 31024The arrest of a 14-year-old boy on suspicion of taking indecent photos of children at Swindon Megabowl has led to a nationwide review of security rules.

The youth was arrested on Sunday at the Shaw Ridge bowling complex after a group of seven-year-olds reported that someone had used a mobile phone to photograph them in the toilets.

Now the company that owns the Megabowl has announced it is to tighten security in all of its 60 bowling complexes across the country.

It will be putting up signs to warn people against invading others' privacy.

And staff are to be trained to be more vigilant, challenging people who are using cameras suspiciously.

But it ruled out a total ban on mobile phones equipped with cameras.

David Barrett, spokesman for Swindon Megabowl, said: "We are going to be much, much more vigilant in the future and we are reviewing our policies across the country.

"But banning cameras would be a step too far. When people go bowling they like to take photographs and enjoy their evening."

Mr Barrett said the growth in technology was putting ever more pressure on owners of recreational facilities.

He said many people carried the mobile phones and enforcing a ban would be very difficult. A ban would not necessarily prevent incidents such as the one alleged to have happened at Shaw Ridge, he added.

Mr Barrett said it was the first time the company had experienced such an incident.

The 14-year-old youth at the centre of the allegations was released on bail pending further inquiries.

He has been ordered to return to Westlea police station on August 5, once inquiries have been completed.

The popularity of small mobiles with cameras has made it much easier to take illicit photos without permission.

In the UK, several councils have taken action to stop such phones being used in schools, leisure centres and swimming pools.

Swindon Council already operates a no-camera rule in its leisure centres, including the Link and Oasis. But it has no powers to force other recreational facilities to do the same.

Ina Price, the NSPCC spokeswoman for the Swindon area, welcomed the Megabowl's response and said it was important to keep things in perspective.

"It's a case of looking at all the different uses of these phones and striking a reasonable balance that respects people's privacy and safeguarding children," she said.

"This incident in Swindon has highlighted there can be a problem with these phones, but they are perfectly legitimate devices."

Andy Tate