Marie Cragg was on her morning walk with her teenage daughter on a path at the end of Factory Lane, Penwortham, when she saw two men naked from the waist down on the ground together in front of her.

The mother-of-three called police as soon as she got home and officers said they would investigate.

But when she took out her dogs Molly and Ruby again later in the day, she was told by two police officers to go a different way.

It comes just weeks after the county's Deputy Chief Constable Mike Cunningham caused controversy when he advised that people caught having sex in public should only be arrested as a last resort.

Marie, 44, claims the picturesque path has become a magnet for gay men to meet for indecent behaviour. She said: "I called the police and never heard anything back.

"Then later I was talking to the community officers and they said they knew what went on and I should change our walk. You should not have had to see that should you?

"They can go into the woods and go wherever they want – it is sick.

"They saw me and didn't care and just carried on. I could have been a child minder with kids.

"I would rather go past a gang of hoodies. They are making the place seedy.The police put signs up saying 'police patrolling' but you never see them."

The network of wooded paths is close to St Mary Magdalen's Catholic Primary School, in Buller Avenue, as well as the Vernon Carus sports fields, and joins a popular route from Avenham and Miller Parks.

A local farmer, who did not wish to be named, said: "I am aware of it but I have never seen anything."

Other dog walkers in the area have reported seeing men hanging around and disappearing into shrubbery at the end of Factory Lane, as well as on the old tram path leading from Avenham and Miller Parks.

Coun Jim Hothersall, of Middleforth ward, said: "It certainly should not be ignored, and for the police to suggest she should take a different route is just an opt out. That is not acceptable.
"It is extremely serious."

Chief Inspector Jon Bullas, of South Ribble's Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: "What this lady and her daughter had to endure is shocking to say the least. I am aware that police officers responded to the call and were at the location within 20 minutes, but could not find the two men described.

"We are continuing to patrol this area and need to make clear that this sort of activity will not be tolerated.

"The lady was given advice by an officer to use a different route, but I would like to emphasise that the path is not a no-go area. If people are concerned on any occasion for their own safety, we would recommend that they take a less isolated route, particularly if alone.

"Unfortunately this activity takes place in open places across the UK and together with partners we are working towards eradicating the problems that exist."

>> Vote in our latest web poll