A165 Dogging – Police take action

POLICE have confronted 18 people using a family picnic spot to have sex with strangers in public.

Officers vowed to tackle the problem after residents of Skirlaugh and Coniston repeatedly complained about lewd activity in three lay-bys off the A165, including one close to the Transpennine Trail.

Since making the issue a priority less than one month ago, officers have stopped 18 people at the sites, sometimes during the day.

Although they were not found to be committing any offences, all were issued with a leaflet with guidance on public sex.

There have been no complaints from members of the public since police made it a priority.

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.”

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.

Undercover and uniformed police officers have been used to patrol around the area.

Police said the issue will remain a priority for at least another month.