LINCOLNSHIRE Police have urged doggers to take a common sense approach to sex in public places.
It follows a documentary – Dogging Tales, shown on Channel 4 last night, which provoked huge reaction on social networking sites.
The True Stories film provided an insight into why men and women engage in or watch sexual activity in front of strangers in public areas, under the cover of darkness.
It will be shown again tonight at 10pm on 4seven
Dogging is a growing craze, especially in rural areas such as Lincolnshire.
There are now dogging networks online where people can set up meetings before-hand and Horseshoe Point seems to be a meeting place they all recommend.
However, Terry Hall, Lincolnshire Police's Inspector for the Community Policing Teams in the Wolds says sex in a public place is common and only becomes a problem when others notice.
He said: "The issue of Public Sex Environments is certainly not a new one.
"Individuals or groups of individuals from many cultures and genres use public spaces to meet and sometimes to engage in sexual activity.
"This can sometimes be seen as outraging public decency but on many occasions vast sections of our communities do not even know it is happening.
"There is a fine line when dealing with such situations, as for some, this is an accepted practice with strict codes of conduct.
"The problems arise when individuals undertake such acts within the sight and hearing of others going about their daily business.
"To this end, the police deal with such locations with sensitivity and also in a staged, partnership approach.
"When reports of people becoming upset by public displays of sexual activity are received, it is normally the practice that police attendance is at a level that is proportionate to the complaints.
"We endeavour to engage with 'Sexual Health Outreach' who attend such sites and offer advice and encourage such activity to be undertaken responsibly.
"We would then move to a stage of education where Community policing teams would engage with people who use such sites whether they be individuals attending for sexual activities or those who use the locations for other purposes such as dog walking and provide advice regarding the upset such visible sexual activity is causing or to listen to those who wish to complain.
"It is only when such activity becomes intolerable with lack of consideration for the wider community that proactive intervention must be considered with the issues of illumination, signage and environmental sculpture being considered.
"All of the above considered this does not mean that the police will not deal robustly with anyone who causes harassment, alarm or distress or who blatantly commits offences in these locations within the sight and hearing of the public."
Where do doggers go? A dogging forum lists the following places as well-known dogging spots.
Cleethorpes
Anthonys Bank car park or 'bonkers' bank', as it is known locally.
Great Cotes / Healing
Lay-by between Great Cotes and Healing.
Grimsby
Stallingborough Old Road near Grimsby.
Good for couples on evenings and weekends.
Weelsby Woods, both in the carpark and in the woods themselves.
A18/Beesby
On the A18 opposite the road to North Thoresby is the road to Beesby. 400metres to a left hand bend where there is a farm shed with a curved roof. Park on the verges, there are footpaths and secluded spots nearby. Monday nights and weekends for some couples and gay or bisexual action.
Barton
Humber Bridge, viewing area car park, Waterside Road, for dogging and cottageing (where gay men meet publicly for sex. Action on most days.
Immingham
Lay-by between Little London and Immingham
Stallingborough Old Road
The guide warns to "be careful" as there are regular police checks.
Stone Pit Lane, Keelby
Occasional couples, but mainly gay pick-up and fun spot. Couples in cars and in the wood, but may be all male. though. Site also warns to "take care" because of police checks.
Horseshoe Point car-park, near Marsh Chapel, North Lincolnshire. Weekends and Saturday especially good, with some nights in the week too.
