Meeting on police dogging action at Birdlip

The fake sign was removed earlier this month

Police have pledged to deal with a problem of adult sexual activity and some villagers being propositioned near a beauty spot in Gloucestershire.

The issue came to a head earlier this month when a fake brown tourist sign, pointing to an "official dogging area" at Barrow Wake was put up.

Insp Phil Offord told a public meeting at nearby Birdlip that what had been a continuing problem was being addressed.

He said an increase in "visible policing" should reassure residents.

He said: "It is an important issue, [but] we do have to adopt a proportionate response to it.

"If I promised you'd get to a situation where nothing happens of a nasty nature then clearly it would only take one occasion in a year for people to say 'there you go, it's still happening'.

Propositioned by men

"It's about doing what we can, continuing the work we're doing, and improving pubic confidence."

One villager, who wanted to be known only as Dawn, said some fields near the road leading to the beauty spot had become "no-go areas".

She said even in daylight she had been propositioned by men.

"I used to pretend to talk on my mobile but I won't walk there now.

"What people choose to do in the back of white vans is their own business, but it's the impact on locals and visitors who want to visit this beautiful area.

"I've never seen a police car on the roads around Birdlip or near the view point. It's good to think that awareness is being raised now and that something will be done."