Police clear up toilet message

Pubs in London have been hit by a bout of toilet humour.

Licensees have been sent letters on Metropolitan Police-headed paper warning them to ensure washroom attendants comply with the necessary employment laws and that their working conditions are satisfactory.

The letter goes on to warn that a large number of licensees are being investigated by the Met and that surprise raids will be made on premises thought to be not complying with the regulations.

A Met Police spokeswoman said the letters were a hoax and that the author's name was fictitious. She said there did not appear to be any motive except as a prank and any licensee receiving a similar letter should throw it away. The hoax came to the attention of the Met after one of its licensing officers in Lewisham started receiving calls from perplexed licensees.

Nick Bish, chief executive of Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, commented: "There is no legislation covering washroom attendants, well certainly none that I know of."