Moor Park remains target for ‘Doggers’

Preston’s Moor Park remains a prime site for ‘dogging’ and other illicit sexual activities because the council will not install CCTV cameras due to budget cuts.

Preston City Councillor, Mr Frank De Molfetta, called for CCTV cameras to be installed after the car park opposite Preston North End’s Deepdale Stadium was exposed as a popular spot for ‘doggers’.

Concern

Cllr De Molfetta expressed his concern about the rising numbers of people using the site for sex with strangers and voyeurism.

“At the present time the suggestion of the CCTV has not been implemented due to lack of funding,” says Cllr De Molfetta.

“My constituents have relayed to me about the problem and with Police cooperation the problem is getting better.”

Vulnerable

Preston City Council announced this month that Park inspections would be cut from every two days to just once a week, leaving the area more vulnerable to crime and other illicit activities

Not Aware

But a spokesperson for Preston Police has said they are not aware of any incidents of ‘dogging’ in Moor Park

“We have not had any reports of any such incidents and we would hope that if anyone did see anything of this nature they would report to us immediately.”

“As far as we are aware no-one has raised the issue at any recent Moor Park PACT meetings,” he said.

Councillor De Molfetta has confirmed that he has contacted the Police on behalf of his residents: “I have spoken to PCSO Dave Grundy in the past month or two after the Pact Meeting with the promise that I will be looking into following residents concerns.”

“It could be that the residents like to talk to Local Councillors and they may not wish to talk to the Police.”

“Excellent for dogging once it gets dark”

The website www.swingingheaven.co.uk states that Preston’s Moor Park is “excellent for dogging once it gets dark” and that ‘dogging’ is a popular activity throughout the North West.

A search for “Dogging in Preston” reveals 14 pages of discussion on the website’s interactive forum and provides would-be doggers with warnings about locations likely to be monitored by the Police.


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