PUBLIC sex acts on Studland Beach have been condemned by police after a string of incidents including suspected prostitution, group sex and shooting of a porn film.

Police are patrolling the area to crack down on the annual summer-time increase in outdoor sex.

The beach, which has a designated zone for naturists, has a reputation for attracting an element seeking illicit sexual thrills, but police want to send out a strong message it cannot continue.

Recent incidents include a suspected prostitute of Asian appearance seen swimming ashore on June 2 to entice men back to a motorboat for sex. Police also believe a sex film was shot in the area this summer after a member of the public reported it after the event.

Inspector Ashley Adams, Purbeck Section Commander, said: "The type of problems we are having are groups of people engaging in sexual activity in the sand dunes and woodland, people exposing themselves in public and masturbating.

"We had a situation with a motorboat moored off the coast allegedly being used for the purposes of prostitution."

He added: "We had reports that this was occurring, but the boat left the scene before the marine section got there."

Insp Adams urged people to contact the police straight away if they suspect illegal sexual activity is occurring.

He added: "We do have police patrolling the area.

"On July 31 a member of the public reported that there was a male masturbating towards a family with children on the beach.

"An Algerian male was arrested for that offence and received a fixed penalty ticket of £80.

"This happened during the afternoon."

Insp Adams added: "Studland Beach has a problem with people using that area for sexual activity.

"We want to make clear our action is not directed towards any particular community group, be it the gay community or the nudist community, but sexual activity in view of a member of the public is inappropriate and unlawful and police will take action."

He added: "We have a million visitors a year, particularly children.

"I want to send out a clear message that this is not acceptable."