West Yorkshire dogging on the move
A POLICE clampdown on outdoor sex in a secluded part of Calderdale may have shifted the problem to the Calder Valley, councillors believe.
Ripponden Parish Council has been concerned for years about the practice known as “dogging,” which they say has been taking place around rural Baitings reservoir.
It is believed thrill-seekers drive to the isolated beauty spot from miles around to take part in sex, knowing they are being watched.
“At long last it is an issue which is being taken seriously,” said Coun Geraldine Carter.
“The amount of dogging at Baitings has diminished since the police began recording car number plates and sending letters to the registered owners,” she told the council’s 1,000th meeting.
“But I believe these people are now moving to areas around Hebden Bridge, Luddenden and Todmorden,” she said.
In January, the parish council was told that the entrance to the woodland at Baitings was being constantly used for sexual activity.
“While the problem here seems to be reducing, I suspect it is only temporary,” said Coun Carter.
Inspector Dave Browning, from the Upper Valley neighbourhood policing team, said he and his force had been aware of concerns about sexual activities at Moselden Lane, Ripponden, and had been carrying out work to deal with those concerns.
The police have been working with partners to tackle the issue, including Calderdale Council and Ripponden Parish Council.
“No one who has been written to has re-offended,” he said.
He added swift action had been taken to deal with concerns about low-level sexual activity in Luddenden Foot and pro-active work was being carried out to ensure this kind of activity did not surface elsewhere.