Penhale Sands, Cornwall

Many of your readers may not know but the beach and sand dune area (approximately 1000 acres) to the North of the Bourne Leisure Caravan Park (middle of the beach) belongs to the Ministry of Defence (MOD); ownership extending to the mean high water mark.

To clarify a point, the MOD does not allow nude sunbathing on this beach. The unofficial naturist activity that happens at the very northern end, against the cliffs, has been tolerated because it has been, in the past, done with discretion. Unfortunately, because of the inappropriate actions and behaviour of a few individuals, this tolerance is now being reviewed.

The reason for this is that the training activities that go on at Penhale Camp include many young persons with Cadet Forces and indeed groups from local schools. Recently there has been an instance of a lewd approach to a group of young persons and an instance of a group, while map reading, stumbling upon a couple engaged in inappropriate sexual activity in, effectively, a public space. The MOD has a Duty of Care for all persons, especially these youngsters, and must keep their welfare as a priority.

I would point out that blame is not laid at any particular section of the community. While some naturists blame the gay community, it is clear that some naturists now inhabit the fore dunes and have extended their 'patch' along the beach. Far from being discreet they now blatantly 'parade' along the beach and down to the water. This has caused offence to the local population and to tourists who walk the beach as it forms part of the SW Coastal Path.

The MOD is now reviewing the situation with a view to the future use of the MOD owned part of the beach. Until a final decision is made, all genuine naturists are requested to ensure that they keep to the far Northern end of the beach, do not enter the sand dunes (MOD training area) and comply with the reasonable requests of the MOD representatives who manage the area.

Finally, to try and prevent any more inappropriate behaviour the MOD Police, in cooperation with the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary will be patrolling the area.