Police close investigation into Pump Gyms Colchester CCTV

Bosses at Pump Gyms in Colchester contacted the police in December last year after CCTV footage of naked men appeared on social media.

But some members at the gym claim to have never been notified their privacy could’ve been breached more than two months after the police were contacted.

Essex Police has confirmed to the Gazette that the investigation has now been concluded. 

The spokesman said: “We have concluded our investigation and all reasonable lines of inquiry have been completed.

“Unfortunately, no one has been arrested in connection with our investigation. However, if any new information comes to light, we will review and follow any reasonable lines of inquiry.”

Business - Pump Gyms in Colchester (Image: Google)

'Really unsettling'

One gymgoer, who has been using the gym in Grange Way for about four years and didn’t want to be named, feels “reluctant to use the showers” and is disappointed to have not received any communication from gym bosses about the issue.

“There's never been anything on social media, no emails, there’s nothing,” they claimed.

“You’d think there would be some kind of response to say what they’re doing to deal with it.”

They added they now actively avoid the cameras in the changing rooms “in case they’re not fixed”.

Another member, who also wished to remain anonymous, says it’s “really unsettling” gym users haven’t been updated on the issue.

He said: “I’ve been a member at several gyms; none have had CCTV in the changing rooms, and subsequently none have had to deal with a leak like this.

“I’m sure other members would prefer a bit of privacy to the illusion of security.”

The company previously said the cameras had been installed in the men’s changing area after “vandalism and theft”.

CCTV - cameras are mounted near the showers and sauna (Image: Supplied)

The Data Protection Act states customers should be informed in most cases without undue delay of serious data breaches which are likely to result in high risk to the rights and freedoms of an individual.

What CCTV footage appeared online?

A police investigation was launched after the Gazette learned a photo of a man walking to a locker wearing just a towel, with the gym’s logo visible on a sign attached to a glass door, had been posted on the messaging app Telegram.

Text on the video invited viewers to subscribe to a “stream” for $50 (£39) a month.

Videos showing naked men had also been shared on X, formerly Twitter, but nothing in the footage confirmed it had been recorded at any of Pump Gyms’ locations.

At the time, Marc Platter, chief executive of the gym chain, said the company was taking the matter seriously and had referred it to Essex Police, which has now finished its probe.

Pump Gyms was given more than 24 hours to comment on this story but had not responded at the time of publication.