Police told doggers should be protected from hate crime

Police have been ordered to protect doggers and arrest anyone suspected of committing a hate crime against people taking part in outdoor sex. A new Hate Crime Guidance Manual has been handed to officers warning them that they must not ignore doggers being abused or verbally taunted in any way - as it can cause them to suffer from post traumatic stress. It states that even though 'outdoor sex is unlawful', people who take part in dogging or cottaging still have rights - which protect them from becoming victims of hate crime.

The manual, issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, last week, states that people who take part in open-air sex are 'more susceptible to hate crime' and can suffer 'post traumatic stress and depression' if they are abused, Police Review revealed. The 60-page guide states: "The issues surrounding public sex environments can be complex and consequently provide a challenge for the police. Whilst complaints regarding consensual public sex must be considered and responded to, it must also be noted that people engaging in such activity are potential targets for hate crime perpetrators."



It states that doggers can be 'reluctant to report victimisation in outdoor sex environments' and says this is 'due to a misconception that the police will primarily be interested in why they were there, as opposed to tackling hate or prejudice motivated crime. It goes on to say that hate crime can have a 'lasting impact on individual victims', adding that 'crime targeted at an individual's core identity also has the potential to undermine entire communities and damage community confidence in the police'. The guide adds: "Research has shown that any victim of crime can suffer symptoms of depression, anger, anxiety and post traumatic stress

"Victims of non-biased crime can experience a decrease in these symptoms within two years (but) victims of bias, or hate crime, may need as long as five years to overcome their ordeal." In 2008, the then deputy chief constable of Lancashire Police Michael Cunningham - now the chief constable of Staffordshire Police - issued guidance cautioning officers against 'knee-jerk' reactions when dealing with doggers and saying they should only be prosecuted as a 'last resort'. The most recent changes were made to the 'Managing Public Sex Environments' policy last month, and top brass say the policy has been 'completely re-written' following consultation with relevant groups and 'new Association of Chief Police Officer guidance'.