Police say they are powerless to curb sexual activities taking place at Scratchwood Open Space near Borehamwood.

The parkland, off the A1 south of Borehamwood, has become a place where people meet for sexual encounters both gay men looking for casual partners and heterosexual people meeting to watch strangers have sex in cars, which is known as dogging.

One web site, www.swingingheaven.co.uk, cites the location as having 'good dogging action'.

But Garry Ward, 52, of Cleveland Crescent, Borehamwood is calling on the authorities to reclaim the area for families. He says he wants to be able to walk his dog in the park near his home without fear of encountering people having sex.

"People won't use it because they feel too frightened and intimidated," he said. "This has got to stop. It's a beautiful open space. There's men wandering over there trying to solicit other men.

"I feel frightened for women and children going over there who don't know."

He decided to speak out after coming across two men engaged in a sexual act.

"It's getting like Hampstead Heath. Everyone's frightened to step on their toes, but someone's got to take a stand."

Both the police and Barnet Council, which owns the land, say they are powerless to do anything about it.

A spokesperson for Barnet Police said people having sex in cars was not a criminal offence because it is private property.

"We are not the moral police," she added.

A council spokesman said: "I don't want to appear blase about it, but it's difficult to curb human nature.

"There's a proposal to relet the cafe which is empty. If there was something there it would be an extra attraction for families and it will also mean that it will be a presence on the site.

"Other than that, there's very little we can do to stop gay men meeting in the park," he said.

u Last week two boys appeared at Central Hertfordshire Youth Court after being found guilty of a homophobic attack at the site.