Dog walkers and local residents have raised concerns as the area is used by children and young families
Concerns have been raised that a popular South Belfast park is being used as a meeting spot for “men to have sex in the bushes”.
Local residents and dog walkers have said that the area of the park between Malone House and The Dub playing fields is being used as a place for men to have sex, saying that they have found bushes littered with tissues and condom wrappers and seen men leaving them “zipping up their trousers”.
It has been alleged that the indecent incidents have been taking place during working hours with dog walkers saying they have seen men at lunch time emerging from the bushes. It has been claimed that the area primarily being used is close to the boundary gate between Malone House and the playing fields, in bushes a few metres away from the path.
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Speaking to Belfast Live one local resident who regularly uses the park said they were very concerned about what they claim is going on as the area is used by young children and families, with children’s summer schemes taking place over the summer months.
They said: “I would use the park quite regularly to walk my dog and have been shocked by some of the disgusting things I have seen taking place in the middle of the day.
“I have seen pairs of men coming out of the bushes pulling up their zippers and you can see them quite clearly when you are walking past as they are only 10 metres or so from the path. I have had friends who have seen the very same thing and it is disgusting that people would meet in a public park to do something like this instead of going somewhere private.
“I have been out with my teenage children walking the dog and they have asked me what the men are doing in the bushes and I have been so embarrassed. I saw a married man that I know from my child’s school leaving the bush once with another man which really shocked me.
“I mentioned it to one of the park wardens recently and when we went over to the bush I was appalled to see about 50 condom wrappers and used tissues everywhere.
“I don’t care what people want to do in their private lives and even if they were doing this in the middle of the night it wouldn’t be as bad, but to meet here during the day when you know there could be children around is disgusting and the people involved need to stop what they are doing.”
A Belfast City Council spokesperson said: “We have received one report in relation to this suspected activity.
“Our park wardens do patrol our council-owned parks regularly and we have increased patrols in this area as a precautionary measure.
“Any concerns regarding this type of activity should also be reported directly to the PSNI.”
The PSNI and QUB have been contacted regarding the issues, however have said they have not received any reports of the alleged incidents.
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