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SINGLE men walking though historic Cardiff parklands are being photographed by parks rangers, a gay group has alleged.

A gay and lesbian group has complained to Cardiff council claiming it has been approached by men using Bute Park to say they have photographed in the Grade I-listed parklands.

In meetings with police and council officers, the group has claimed that anyone walking through the park in the evenings or at night could have been caught on camera.

The city council denied that people were being photographed without their knowledge.

A council spokeswoman said there were serious problems of illegal and anti-social behaviour in the park and that the photos taken by parks rangers were to “evidence illegal activity”.

It is understood that drugs paraphernalia and other items that provide evidence of illegal activity have been found in the parklands, which are popular during the day with families, students, runners and city centre workers.

A spokeswoman for the council said officers had to “ensure the health and safety of users of the park” and photographs may be taken “which would evidence illegal activity”.

She said: “Photographs are not being taken of men in Bute Park and park ranger staff have never been instructed to take photographs of park users in the way that has been alleged.

“However, unfortunately staff do have to deal with illegal activities and anti-social behaviour in this area.

“Our primary concern is to ensure the health and safety of users of the park and therefore photographs may be taken which would evidence illegal activity and anti-social behaviour as they may be required may be needed for future enforcement action.”

A member of the gay community said: “People are very angry about this.

“They say they have been photographed on their own walking through the park.

“My concern is that anyone could be photographed if they happen to be walking through the park.”

The concerns have been raised by the Cardiff and Vale Lesbian Gay, Bisexual and Transgender group at meetings with the South Wales Police liaison group.

A formal complaint was also sent to Cardiff council alleging that single men had also been asked to leave the park.

In a response, a senior officer wrote: “The council respects the human rights of users but needs to balance the interests of all in order to exercise its duty of care, health and safety and appropriate use of the park.”