BIZARRE SEX CRAZE SWEEPING WALES; Kinky voyeur games plague beauty spots.(News)

From: Wales On Sunday (Cardiff, Wales)  | Date: August 18, 2002  

Byline: LYDIA WHITFIELD
WELSH beauty spots are turning into no-go areas because of the seedy antics of so-called `carfun' fans.
Some of the most beautiful beaches and countryside are being advertised on the net as hot-spots for sexual exhibitionists and perverted voyeurs.

Fans of carfun are bombarding saucy websites to find out where in Wales they can indulge in their bizarre activities.
Carfun involves couples driving out to remote areas and inviting other couples to watch them have sex in their cars or sometimes to join in.

To those not in on the arrangements, the performers pretend they are out dog-walking - which they refer to amongst themselves as `dogging'.

Cyber chat forums are used for regular couples and newcomers to make arrangements to meet on spots ranging from Southerndown Beach to Abergele.

Tips for newcomers to dogging and carfun dictate: ``One thing you DO NOT do is park right next to them as most probably it will freak them out and they will move.

``Park a respectful distance away (around two car widths at least) and put on your interior light so the couple can take a look at you.

``Wait in the car till you get a signal which will normally be a flash of the interior/exterior lights but if you don't get a signal but they don't get out of the car, see what they do. ``The rest you will have to play by ear.''

One site claims to list the best places in Wales to go for carfun. Wales' listings include Kenfig Nature Reserve (`just outside Porthcawl, all times of day and night'); Wentwood Services (`layby just outside Newport... up in the woods and picnic areas'); The Forestry Commission car park past Castell Coch and just past the Travellers Rest on Caerphilly mountain (`down the side road opposite').

Other suggestions include Blaengarw and Craig-y-Nos. Southerdown beach is described as `very quiet and fairly discreet'.
Police chiefs warn that anyone found `dogging' will face indecency charges.

Sarah Mahoney, South Wales Police Press and Public Relations Officer said: ``In the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff area, we receive very, very few complaints of people participating in sexual acts in public places. However, anyone caught doing so could face charges of indecency.''

While Peter Owens, Parks Community Liaison Officer at Heath Park said: ``We've never had complaints of anything at all like that.
``It's an open park, so it's not locked up at night, but it's surrounded by houses on three sides and the University Hospital on the other. ``We don't have much trouble of any sorts there at night. If there was any sort of swinging going on, I'm sure we'd know about it. ``We've had reports of cottaging in Bute Park which is a locked park, not Heath Park, but police officers are dealing with that.

``What people get up to in their own time is up to them. In some ways I'm very glad I'm naive!''
HAVE YOUR SAY
What do you think of the latest sex craze to take Wales by storm? TEXT US............................................................................... ..........................................07770 641382 WRITE TO US AT.............Wales on Sunday, Thomson House, Havelock Street, Cardiff CF10 1XR E-MAIL US............................................................................... ........................wosmail@wme.co.uk OR POST YOUR VIEWS AT OUR WEBSITE ..........................................................www.icWales.co.uk

Seedy side of the web
CARFUN is popular in Western Europe and Janet Charlton, the former escort girl acquitted at Leeds Crown Court of murdering her partner Danny O'Brien, brought the sexual practice to public attention in May. She claimed he forced her to partake in dogging.

Judging by the `carfun' websites the indecent practises are hot in Wales too.
One entry on an exhibitionist site reads: ``Please tell me why you would be ideal to watch us secretly as we make love in a quiet location in the Sully or Dinas Powys sometime in the next few days. You must remain completely hidden during our first show.''

Another couple try to make arrangements for this weekend. They write: ``Hi, we will be in Abergele this weekend (FriSun)... does anyone know of any good locations in the area? Sue & Mike.''
Another Welsh couple write under the heading, `Want to watch South Wales': ``Hi. We are a married couple, 40s, interested in having an audience, poss next fri night, strictly no contact''.

Another South Wales man says: ``My g/f [girlfriend] and I will be having sex in car park today at around 3pm in Heath Park. Did it yesterday too and had a few watchers. Guys are welcome but g/f likes females too.''

CAPTION(S):
VOYEUR VOYAGER: Holly Hunter and James Spader caused massive controversy in the film Crash