SECURITY has been stepped up at the Trafford Centre after reports a man was caught taking photos of people inside cubicles in the public toilets.

A warning on social media urging parents not to let their children use the facilities unsupervised at the shopping centre was shared almost 1,000 times in just a matter of hours.

The post is believed to be written by a man who works at the centre and was prompted by an incident he experienced on Tuesday May 9, at around 4pm.

When using the gents, the man said he noticed someone was holding a mobile phone over the cubicle wall and taking photos of him.

The worker confronted the man in the next cubicle and demanded that he hand over the phone.

A scuffle ensued and the man who was confronted fled the scene.

The incident was reported to the police, as well as intu Trafford Centre security.

A spokesperson for intu Trafford Centre said they are aware of the incident and assured shoppers that they are taking it ‘very seriously’.

The spokesperson added: “It is our absolute priority to provide a safe and secure environment for everyone at intu Trafford Centre and we are supporting Greater Manchester Police with their enquiries.

“We have also increased routine security checks of the public toilets and our security staff have been briefed to remain extra vigilant. For further information please contact Greater Manchester Police.”

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “At around 5.15pm on Tuesday May 9, police were called to reports of a man taking photographs of people in toilet cubicles at the Trafford Centre, Barton Dock Road.

“Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting reference number 1650 of 09/05/17 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”