Nude Beach May Close - Penhale Cornwall (Perranporth)
Paul
weekly paper local paper for Mid Cornwall. It is front page of the truro
edition, and on an inside page of the redruth & Falmouth editions I think.
I imagine that they could only "close" the dunes which are MoD property
rather than the sand itself - but obviously it is of concern.
I will wrtite a suitable letter to the Editor.
Phil
NUDE BEACH MAY CLOSE
More News | Back to home page
09:00 - 04 August 2005
Naked men have confronted young Army cadets at a remote beauty spot,
prompting an operation to tackle 'cottaging' and inappropriate behaviour.
In one incident which has raised concern, a middle-aged man scaled an
eight-foot bank, crossed sand dunes and walked around a pond in order to
speak to youngsters who were abseiling.
On another occasion, a group aged between 12 and 15 "ran straight
into" a custom-made den, in which a naked man was sitting alone.
Both incidents happened near Penhale Army Camp at the northern end of
Perranporth Beach, which is a well-known but unofficial naturist site.
Police have previously been called to the area to deal with
'cottagers' - homosexual men who search for partners in public places.
Commandant of Penhale Army Training Camp Major Michael Pawlak said the
beach may be closed if there are further approaches to children.
"We do not wish to appear heavy handed. However, there is a duty of
care and it is important that there is no threat to those youngsters from
whatever source.
"For some of the young ones it was quite traumatic, but most were
embarrassed more than anything."
Major Pawlak is unsure of the motives of the men involved.
But he is spearheading a joint operation between representatives of
the police, MoD, nudist and gay communities to resolve the issue in the
"most sensitive and practical way."
"Although naturists' activities may be harmless, it could be
attracting the wrong type of people, who offer a threat to young persons on
this site," he said.
A four-step plan has now been developed to tackle the issues.
Kevin Richards from the No.1 group for gay, lesbian and transgender
people, will visit the dunes to warn any suspects that their actions are
unacceptable.
If unsuccessful, a policeman will then accompany Mr Richards to give
the warnings.
If the trespassing and alleged lewd behaviour continues, officers will
then arrest offenders.
If all else fails, naturists could be banned from the beach.
Some who left messages on the Naturism in Cornwall website said it was
sad a minority could spoil it for the whole community.
Another added: "I am sad to report, that yet again, unscrupulous
single males are 'cottaging' and displaying acts of anti-social behaviour
guaranteed to make the hackles of any right-thinking person to stand on end.
"We were...forced to leave as I do not wish my children to be
subjected to such unsolicited and abhorrent acts."
The land is privately owned by the Ministry of Defence. Parts are
highly dangerous and anyone who strays off a permitted path is guilty of
trespass.
Paul
Alex Heney
<doc_p...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>I attach below the front page headline story from The West Briton, the
>weekly paper local paper for Mid Cornwall. It is front page of the truro
>edition, and on an inside page of the redruth & Falmouth editions I think.
>
<snip>
> A four-step plan has now been developed to tackle the issues.
>
This actually sounds like about the most sensible plan they cold have
adopted if there is to be a reasonable chance of naturist use
continuing.
--
Alex Heney, Global Villager
Solution: A more subtle problem.
To reply by email, my address is alexATheneyDOTplusDOTcom
Tim Forcer
[cut]
> A four-step plan has now been developed to tackle the issues.
>
> Kevin Richards from the No.1 group for gay, lesbian and
> transgender people, will visit the dunes to warn any suspects
> that their actions are unacceptable.
This implies that "mere" / "simple" beach nudity is not a
problem? That the problems is cottaging and other sexual or
sexually-related behaviour?
> If unsuccessful, a policeman will then accompany Mr Richards
> to give the warnings.
Again, since simple non-sexual nudity is legal, the officer will
have no need to warn naturists?
> If the trespassing and alleged lewd behaviour continues,
> officers will then arrest offenders.
Surely, lewd behaviour should result in arrest without the need
for two prior steps? Trespassing is not, AIUI, an arrestable
offence, although I heard something recently about the government
proposing to make ALL offences arrestable, plus I would expect
that unauthorised presence on MoD land could contravene some Act
or other. (Actually, it may be that the power to make all
offences arrestable already exists, and that the proposal was
that this should be implemented.)
> If all else fails, naturists could be banned from the beach.
Yet there is no indication in the press report that naturists AS
SUCH are a problem - it is the cottagers (etc) who are causing
trouble?
One solution for naturists would seem to be to keep out of the
dunes, if only to avoid guilt by association?
--
Tim Forcer t...@ecs.soton.ac.uk
The University of Southampton, UK
The University is not responsible for my opinions