Police in outdoor sex warning

Woodland areas are proving increasingly popular with doggers

People who have sex outdoors in Doncaster are being targeted by criminals, police have warned.

So-called "doggers" are being attacked and robbed at two notorious woodland areas between Rossington and Bawtry.

But a Doncaster police spokesman said many were not telling police through embarrassment or fear of their families finding out about their behaviour.

He said police were worried others who used the public woodland could become victims if crimes were not reported.

Sgt Neil Thomas said Kings Wood in Bawtry and woodland at the junction of Bawtry Road and Hurst Lane were very popular with doggers.

'Utmost confidentiality'

He urged anyone who has been a victim of crime in those areas to come forward.

He said: "Many are not comfortable with telling the police what they have been doing. Some of them may be embarrassed or in difficult situations with their home life but we will deal with them with the utmost confidentiality and if they don't want us to contact them at home then we won't.

"The reason criminals target them is because they are aware a lot of those people will not go home and tell their partners and families where they have been and that they have become a victim of crime."

Mr Thomas said he was concerned that if crimes were not reported then the criminals may also start to target dog walkers and horse riders who also use the public woodland.

He added: "I want to find out when the crimes are occurring and catch who is committing them so I can protect the people who use the woods."