Wardens start nudist beach patrol

Studland has welcomed naturists for more than 90 years

Wardens will patrol a Dorset nudist beach to try to stop occasional sexual misconduct that police say "threatens to bring naturism into disrepute".

Three wardens will patrol the National Trust's Studland peninsula throughout the summer, including the nudist beach.

Nine sex offences were reported in the area between the summers of 2005 and 2008, which Dorset Police said was low.

Wardens will also target people dropping littering and those lighting unauthorised fires and barbecues.

A police spokesman said the wardens would help "to make visitors and residents feel even safer".

Police worked with The National Trust and Studland Beach Users Action Group to get the scheme up and running.

The Studland peninsula is a very safe place where families can enjoy the summer Sgt Des Connor

The wardens' work will be in addition to beach rangers and police patrols carried out on foot and on quad bikes.

Safer Neighbourhood Sgt Des Connor said: "The Studland peninsula is a very safe place where families can enjoy the summer.

"Studland has welcomed naturists for more than 90 years and continues to do so within an area designated as an official UK naturist beach.

"However, from time to time, we receive reports of sexual misconduct or activity that threatens to bring naturism into disrepute.

"Between summer 2005 and summer 2008, nine sexual offences were recorded in the Studland area and we want to keep this number as low as possible."