POLICE swooped on cars in a crackdown on perverts at a moorland beauty spot above Huddersfield.

Several cars were stopped on the narrow roads around Scammonden Water last night and the drivers asked what they were doing in the area.

Several single men failed to come up with plausible answers.

Scammonden has been plagued by couples who have exhibitionist sex while watched by voyeurs - an activity known as dogging and piking.

The area is also well used by men seeking other men for sex.

People living in the area have complained several times about the sleazy goings-on. One woman taking her two boys home from school saw two men having sex on the bonnet of a car near their home.

And police say at least one family has driven past a couple having sex while a group of men stood around watching.

Police are now carrying out swoops on the area and they warn people they catch having sex in public that they face prosecution - and all the shame that will bring.

One of the officers involved in the swoop, Pc Dave Collett said: "Most claimed they were on their way home, but there were far more direct roads.

"Three of them had child seats in the back of the cars."

It is known that some of the men who go looking for casual sex with other men are married with children.

Pc Collett added: "We stopped nine cars and only three of the motorists live around here."

While the blitz was going on a jogger ran past.

He yelled: "You're weeding them out then. Good."

Sgt Mick Semenczuk said: "We have acted after receiving complaints. Families live in this area and the activities going on are spoiling their quality of life.

"One man who lives at Scammonden has been followed several times by other men."

He added: "We have liaised with an agency that works with the men who seek sex with other men and also had high-visibility patrols before warning people off. But now we will be looking to prosecute."

The police had put up many posters warning men cruising for other men and the doggers and pikers off - but almost all have been ripped down.

People caught having sex face prosecution for outraging public decency or being a public nuisance.

People can face jail for these offences - but they will also face the shame and humiliation when their names are printed in the Examiner after their court cases.

And, of course, the wives of men seeking sex with other men will discover their husbands' secrets.

The seedy activities have led to at least two picnic area car parks near to Scammonden being closed to the public by large boulders or huge chunks of wood.

Dogging and piking has hit the headlines nationally in recent months and several websites have been set up giving information to people interested in taking part.

Scammonden has appeared on those websites with people giving comments.

One states: "I was up there the other Saturday and a couple were in full swing. Be warned, though, police and transvestites and gays frequent during the week.

"It can be really wild here some nights, also day times."

A woman who lives near Scammonden Water said: "We have been trying to get something done about this problem for years. I witness this problem and the debris left daily. By debris I mean used condoms, tissues and underwear."

She also said rent boys used the area to sell themselves to men for sex.

She added: "Earlier this year my car, and those of my neighbours, had notes left on the windscreens inviting us to attend one of these events. It gave a time and place."

A Yorkshire Water spokesman said:

"We want people to visit, but this spoils it for everyone."

The toilets in the Scammonden Water car park are shut.

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