Staff at The Seaview Cafe in Wemyss Bay were shocked when they found the small black device fixed to a wall in the women’s WC at the Shore Road premises.

Bosses have described it as an ‘evil act’ and say they are working with police to track down the culprit.

The cafe is owned by butcher Nigel Ovens and wife Helen, who also run the award-winning Mearns T McCaskie butcher’s next door.

They have handed over CCTV footage to officers following the incident, which happened last month, in a bid to track down the person responsible.

The incident has only just come to light after cafe bosses moved to distance themselves from the seedy discovery, adding that rumours had been ‘growing arms and legs’.

In a statement under the heading ‘here are the facts’, a disgusted Mr Ovens, right, said: “Very few people knew of this as we dealt quickly and concisely and are disappointed it has leaked as our business and customers has been subject of an evil act.

“Nothing means more to us than our customers and the business we love.

“We now feel we should put out the exact facts that this was an EXTERNAL act that was dealt with quickly.” The camera was discovered in the ladies’ loo during an early morning inspection of the premises.

Cafe bosses are adamant it was not there the night before while the toilets were being cleaned and staff say no customer had used the facility the next morning prior to the find.

Mr Ovens said: “While Helen and I were on holiday in May, my mum called the police as our cafe deputy manager Elaine, while doing early morning premises inspection, noticed a tiny black thing on the white toilet wall in the ladies’ toilet.

“This on inspection was a tiny camera that wasn’t there when the walls were cleaned after closing on Friday night.

“Our staff believe no customer had used the toilet that Saturday morning. My mum was told and called the police who were stunned by the find.

“We offered our CCTV to help but all our cameras are in the cafe and car park.

“The police are investigating to find the culprit.” The cafe owners are now increasing security at the premises to reassure customers.

Mr Ovens said: “We are now installing cameras in the car park entrance and electronic door and entry system to prevent access without coming through the cafe.

“We haven’t heard anything more from the police and to other businesses out there — please be vigilant at all times.” Sergeant Laura Stewart said today that police were aware of the matter and were investigating.