A Suffolk beauty spot has become the latest location for “deeply unsavoury” acts.

The illicit activity, known as “dogging”, has been reported in and around the area of Dunwich Forest.

Reports have mainly involved the sexual acts occurring during hours of darkness, although there were some during the daytime.

Jane Zarins, vice chairman of the Dunwich Parish Meeting, said: “We are disturbed by it.

“This is an area where families come, it’s a shame if people feel they can’t use it.”

The area – and the activity – has also featured heavily online, to which the vice chairman said: “We were very surprised that it was on the social networks.”

Barry Slater, Suffolk Coastal district councillor for the area, said: “It’s not exclusive to the night time.

“A lot of people are aware of it.

“It’s difficult to deal with this problem. You can’t police a place 24 hours a day.

“There is no suggestion the people who are doing this are from Dunwich.

“I am just as concerned as the community in Dunwich is.”

Geoff Abell, treasurer for the parish meeting, added: “It’s deeply unsavoury and unwelcome.

“It’s widely known within the people from the area.”

Mr Abell also believed that the activity would not help tourism in the area.

He said: “Any sort of anti-social behaviour or indecent behaviour is going to put people off.

“What we want is regular police patrols.”

Police carried out patrols in the Dunwich Forest area in early January after receiving information from a member of the public about possible sexual activity in the area.

However no one was found at the location during these checks and there have been no further reports.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk Constabulary said: “Where incidents of indecent or offensive behaviour are reported, police will respond and take action if offences are being committed.

“We would ask that any incidents are reported to officers by dialling 101, or if you believe a crime is in progress please call 999.”