FOLLOWING the Globe report on Leasowe's Gunsite, police activity is to be increased in an attempt to better target the problem of lewd activity in the area.

Merseyside Police have stated that there will be an increased high visibility uniform presence together with plain clothes patrols at the site.

Chief Inspector Bob Gittins says the police will continue liaising with the Wirral Gay and Lesbian Community Safety Group, who are just as keen to reduce the problem as those participating in the sexual activity are reflecting badly on the rest of the gay community.

"They don't want the general public to have to witness gross indecency," he says.

He also stated that although there was evidence of the site being a meeting point both for homosexuals and heterosexuals, there was nothing to confirm that prostitution is taking place.

With regard to the residents' concerns over the upkeep of the area, an official statement by community group Friends of the Gunsite insists that the meadow and dunes are more of a natural country park rather than a pretty urban area. They stress the importance of maintaining conservation at the park, reporting sightings of over 100 different flowers, skylarks, rare invertebrates and flora.

However, they accept that the site has faults, mainly caused by other people. Chairman George Sutton says: "I regret to say that many people come to despoil rather than preserve the area - fly-tippers, careless picnickers, cyclists, horse-riders and motor-cyclists ride on and damage the dunes - trees are broken and burnt."

The group is currently working with the Rangers to improve certain aspects of the site, including the laying of surfaced paths to improve access from the rear car parks. A mowing regime is also in place that will make paths through the grassland area, mow large areas once a month and leave other areas to be cut once a year.

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