In the UK, a church group has been criticized for putting up a “cage” for children.
The large metal cage was seen on the seafront with Scripture Union Cymru banners across it, and has been branded a “monstrosity.”
The structure has been placed on a green near Criccieth in Gwynedd, North Wales. The Scripture Union said it was for use as a sports area for children to play ball games inside.
The controversy broke out after a resident complained about Gwynedd Council’s Facebook page.
“Have you seen what the scripture union have put up in Criccieth?!” the woman wrote online. “Massively inappropriate. Surely they haven’t had permission to erect a cage for children? Can someone please look into this? It’s quite disturbing.”
“Surely putting kids in a confined space rather than the freedom of the entire green is against Covid regulations?” she continued. “It’s actually made me feel quite sick and I’m not the only one.”
Jo Morley, from the Scripture Union’s missions work, has responded to the woman’s comment and defended the use of the enclosure
“We have had our Holiday Club going in Criccieth all week,” Morley said.
“It’s a sports cage that we use for football and games for children and young people,” Morley continued. “We leave it completely locked up and secure when not in use. But all of the rest of the time the children can go in and out as they wish.”
A council representative responded to say officers would “investigate the matter” and suggested the resident contacted the Scripture Union “to see what their intentions are”.
“We are aware of concerns raised on social media about the holding of children’s activities in Criccieth, but no formal complaint has been made to the council,” a Gwynedd Council spokesman said.
“We have been in contact with the Scripture Union, the organization holding the children’s activities, and understand that the cage is being used for children’s ball games,” she continued.
“We also understand that the activities are drawing to a close today (Friday). Arrangements are being made to inspect the site to ensure that the activities have not caused any damage.”
Despite the statements from responsible parties, the woman who reported the enclosure rejected their explanation and insisted that she still sees it as a cage, adding that it is “highly inappropriate” and it’s “license to operate” on council-owned land should be revoked.
“Perhaps the council was unaware of such a monstrosity,” the woman said. “No-one in their right minds wants to see kids in cages.”
The council representative on the Facebook page promised to “get back to you when we have further information”.
Several commenters instantly criticized the enclosure, with one commenter jokingly said: “Since when did the Scripture Union start cage fighting?”