Leaflets to 18 caught at family picnic spot
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| Dogging hot spot ... lay-by |
POLICE have vowed to crack down on a notorious dogging spot after 18 people were confronted having sex with strangers.
Officers made the issue a priority less than a month ago and have confronted people at night AND during the day.
But they were not found to be committing any offences, and all were instead issued with a leaflet with guidance on public sex.
Officers vowed to tackle the problem after residents repeatedly complained about lewd activity in three lay-bys near a family picnic spot.
Undercover and uniformed police officers have been now been deployed to patrol around the area.
On a swinging sex website the area is described as: "Three Laybys on the A165 between Coniston and Skirlaugh, North East of Hull. Some couples dogging and some gays. A known location for action with couples who invite fun."
Another site comments on the location warning potential doggers to watch out for the police, a post reads: "Skirlaugh / Coniston A165 (East Riding).
"Warning - Watch out for the police at the A165 lay bys close to the Transpennine Trail as they are stopping anyone that looks like they maybe out for some fun. We started using another Coniston dogging location so if you want to meet drop me a line as I'm keep this place just for East Riding dogging contacts & friends."
Anyone caught committing an offence at the site could face arrest and prosecution for indecent exposure, voyeurism or outraging public decency.
East Riding Council has cut back hedges around the lay-bys to make the areas more visible and deter offenders.
Humberside Police said the issue will remain a priority for at least another month.
East Riding councillor Matthew Grove said: "These are public areas that have been stolen from the community by individuals who are using them in a way they were never intended to be used.
"These are not courting couples, these are large groups of people engaging in behaviour which is simply not acceptable.
"Two of these lay-bys face houses and the other is a popular picnic spot, where families have turned up and seen this intimidating behaviour.
"This is a great example of the police listening to local concerns and I have not had any more complaints since the police got involved. This isn't something new, it has been going for several years. Something needed to be done."
