�An outdoor area notorious for being used by strangers meeting for sexual encounters has become the subject of a crackdown.

Part of Tylers Common, Nags Head Lane, near Havering’s border with Brentwood, is now a high priority area for Havering Council’s parks teams and will be subject to increased police patrols.

Naked

The area has become a well-known site for “dogging” – slang for engaging in sexual acts in a public or semi-public place or watching others doing so.

A website for “dogging and doggers” describes the site as: “A great place to get naked. Straight, bi, or gay. Some great hiding places to watch others play whilst hidden.”

Local resident Perry Robinson, 19, who lives on a nearby farm, said: “For many years now it was a well known place to go dogging.

“Once I saw a man pulling up his trousers and getting back in his car. Another time my aunt saw two men at it and they just carried on.”

He has hailed the new measures as a victory for “people power”, and said the problem seems to have stopped already. He added: “It’s good to see more police down there now.”

Cllr Andrew Curtin, cabinet member for culture, towns and communities, said: “We always listen to our residents and we have made some small changes that have made a big difference at Tylers Common.

“The area is now on a high priority for the Parks Protection Team and the Park Ranger Service and we have cut back the shrubs that secluded the car park.”

A spokesman for Havering Police said: “We will respond to complaints regarding anti-social behaviour.”