by Andy Gray

A fierce anti-dogging campaigner has said the sleazy practice has almost been eradicated in woods near his Stockbury home.

Dad-of-two Bruce Millar said the number of thrill seekers journeying to the natural beauty spot off the A249 has dropped "dramatically" since last year.

He said it is due to wooden blocks being installed at the bottom of Steps Hill Road by Kent Highways to deter people from parking and disappearing into nearby wild areas such as Stockbury Hill Woods.

Mr Millar from Chalky Road was featured in a C4 documentary, Dogging Tales, which aired last week and delved into the lives of men and women who enjoy alfresco sex in front of strangers.

In it, he described how his quality of life had been affected by the sordid pastime, making it impossible to enjoy family walks around the otherwise quiet leafy area. He also highlighted remnants of the seedy activity, pointing out phallic symbols which had been carved from branches and patches of woodland once littered with used condoms.

Interviewed in May 2012, Mr Millar said his opposition to the "hobby" had made him a target for abuse from some of its participants.

He claimed human excrement had been thrown at his house and underwear dumped in his dustbin. Drivers, he said, also swerved menacingly towards him if they saw him walking along the lane with his dogs.

The 55-year-old, who was asked to take part in the documentary after he posted an online article on the problems of dogging, said there is no room for complacency in the battle to drive out the perpetrators.

"Things have improved greatly, but there is still work to be done.

"I’d estimate the number of cars parked at the entrance to the woods has dropped from around 20 to about two a day."

Mr Millar said he wasn’t entirely happy with the tone of the documentary which showed three couples, whose faces were covered by animal masks, talking about and taking part in dogging.

"I’m not sure if the film was strong enough and focused on the dangers," he said. "While I can see there might be a humorous side to it, it’s not funny if it’s happening near you."

Happy to be living a quieter life in Stockbury, Mr Millar fears the problem may have moved further south along the A249 and cited Delting Aerodrome as perhaps the new dogging hot spot.

"Until regular checks are kept on this activity, these people won’t go away, they’ll just go somewhere else."