Kirtlington Dogging site in Oxford

Strangers using a secluded copse near Kirtlington for outdoor sex have been moved on by police.

The practice of meeting strangers for sex in a public place, known as dogging, had been taking place at a small wood along Port Way.

Police took action after a female jogger came across a naked man running out of the copse two months ago.

After an investigation, the man was arrested but released without charge and Kidlington officers began patrolling the area to deter future sexual activities.

Sergeant Colin Travi, of Kidlington police, said: “We have had a few complaints. My officers have made follow-up visits and we have done some patrols out there.

“Those partaking in the activity have been warned not to frequent the area for sexual purposes.”

He added: “If they want to practice some illicit sexual act, they should do so in the privacy of their own home and not in a public place where some people may be offended.”

He said he did not know how long the area had been used as a dogging site.

But he said police visits to the copse have unearthed evidence sexual activity had been going on there, including condoms and messages offering sex.

But Sgt Travi said the site was not a hotspot for dogging.

A 60-year-old Kirtlington resident, who did not want to be named, said: “We have got lots of children and people walking around here and that is not the sort of thing you want to see.”

She said she was pleased the police had taken action over the dogging but said officers had not told residents what was going on.

A 43-year-old Heyford resident, who also did not want to be named, said: “I am a photographer and I quite often stopped there because it is a pretty place.

“When I was there last, there was a lot of evidence of sexual activity. Kirtlington is a very well regarded village, so I am quite surprised this is happening there.”