'Pee paint' deployed to stop public urination

So-called "pee paint" is being used in parts of Leeds as a way of encouraging people not to urinate in public.

The paint, which works by repelling liquids, has been applied on walls at "key spots" in the city, the council said.

It followed "thoroughly unpleasant" reports of people urinating against homes in the Hyde Park area, according to Jonathan Pryor, the council's deputy leader.

"If you relieve yourself against it, you will end up covered in your own urine," Mr Pryor warned.

The pee paint was previously used in Headingley in response to the behaviour of some participants of the famous Otley Run pub crawl, the council said.

The Otley Run route, which includes parts of Headingley and Hyde Park, is the subject of a Public Space Protection Order, meaning people can be fined up to £1,000 for offences such as public urination.

Mr Pryor, who represents the ward of Headingley and Hyde Park, said the paint had originally been introduced in Leeds by Al Garthwaite, the city's then Lord Mayor.

He added that it "felt like the right time for another round of urine paint".

The paint, which was not visible once applied, was being used in "key spots where we know it happens", Mr Pryor said.

However, he was tight-lipped on exact locations, meaning would-be public urinators could get a nasty surprise.

"We have still got a little bit more. I have had some recommendations from residents about where it's needed," he said.

The special paint is also believed to have been used in several other cities both in the UK and abroad.

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