A BEAUTY spot which became a hotspot for "illegal" sexual acts has seen a reduction in the number of reported cases following action by police and St Helens Council.

In March last year, the Star reported when the Sidings Lane Nature Reserve in Rainford saw an increased number of reports of 'dogging' at the site.

Officers started to patrol the area following reports of the activity, which sees gatherings where sex takes place in public, which were pre-arranged on social media.

A high volume of used condoms and tissues were also being left behind as litter in the area.

In response to the reports, police installed a barrier at the entrance to the car park at the site, which is locked overnight to crack down on the activity.

And a row of boulders have also been positioned down one side of a road at Sidings Lane Nature Reserve.

Police say there has since been a significant reduction in the number of reports they have received regarding inappropriate sexual activity at the Rainford location.

Community Policing Inspector Matt Drennan said: “It is very pleasing to see that the partnership work carried out in Sidings Lane last year has led to a reduction in reports from the public, and long may it continue.

“Many people attend Sidings Lane Nature Reserve to enjoy its beauty and tranquillity, including hikers, dog walkers and schoolchildren on nature walks.

“My community officers continue to patrol the area and work alongside the St Helens Council Ranger Service.

"The gate which was installed last year is closely monitored to prevent anyone using the area for illegal sexual activity and damaging the environment through littering in the park."

Inspector Drennan added: “But I would still like to encourage anyone who has any issues in the area in the future to contact us and ensure that we can continue to maintain this area of natural beauty to the standards visitors expect and deserve.

"Anyone who fails to heed these warnings and uses the area for illegal activities in the future will be identified and prosecuted.”

St Helens Council's cabinet member for community safety, Cllr Lisa Preston, added: “Behaviour of this sort will not be tolerated anywhere in our borough, let alone in our beautiful open spaces.

"I’m delighted that our robust partnership work with Merseyside Police has been successful in putting a stop to this type of activity so that the area can be enjoyed for its intended purpose.”

In 2008, officers had launched an operation to crack down on similar lewd activities at the site, resulting in the area being made off-limits to school children for around 18 months before it was declared safe the following year, after surveillance was stepped up and arrests made.

Anyone wishing to report any activity to police can call their local Neighbourhood Team on 01744 630943, contact 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.