‘Public orgies’ and gawping creeps hunting for ‘hook-ups’… how UK’s first nudist beach became blighted by sex-mad creeps

BRITAIN’S first nudist beach was meant to be a safe-space for like-minded naturists to strip off and feel the sea breeze – in all the right places. But now visitors find themselves being menaced by staring creeps, stepping over sex-crazed swingers – and even trying to swerve very public orgies nearby. A man vists Brighton’s Naturist Beach on a gloomy day at the seaside Credit: Paul Edwards The beach is one of the UK’s few official locations for nudists Credit: Paul Edwards Brighton Naturist Beach became the UK’s first ever official seaside site for nudists back in 1980. The beach was designed as a haven for people to safely let loose – but it also has a darker side. Some have reported the beach has been blighted by pervs and exhibitionists. And the pebbly stretch – one mile east of Brighton’s famous Palace Pier – is also just yards away from a popular coastal path. The beach is alongside a public footpath and busy seafront road Credit: Paul Edwards It is one of Brighton’s two nearby beaches – with the second being down near Shoreham Credit: Ian Whittaker The Sun previously reported the nearby – and unofficial – Shoreham Naturist Beach, some seven miles down the coastline, had been plagued by pervs. But Brighton’s naturist beach is clearly signposted – and is somewhere locals are meant to be able to “enjoy the benefits of nature”. But the shores have suffered a sleazy turn – with reports of groups of naked men looking for casual hook ups by the seaside. During The Sun’s visit we saw a man wearing nothing but trainers wandering up and down the shore whilst young women a running club jogged past. He occasionally paused his nude stroll to throw food in the air for seagulls before continuing to stride up and down the pebbles, despite the chilly mist and drizzle. And he described attending the beach looking for group sex orgies. He told The Sun: “It’s just a bit of fun really. “Sometimes we come down here for a hook up in the evening and maybe there will be a group of us together. “We come together for a bit of fun and there’s not any issues, it’s safe and secured.” As visitors approach the nude zone a large sign lays down the law on beach etiquette, warning passersby “you can expect to see naked people” and “we all have a right to enjoy the benefits of nature”. The council strictly forbids sexual acts with the sign saying: “sexual behaviour is not permitted, and exhibitionism is not acceptable.” However, The Sun found open online forums that tell a very different story – where swingers coordinate raunchy meet ups right on the shoreline. Anonymous users discussed how they can “play around” on the beach without getting caught – even while others pointed out the site is very public and in full view of other beachgoers. “There is gay and straight sex in the bushes behind the beach,” one wrote – and another replied saying the beach can be a “mad house”. Others however were less than impressed with the suggestion the beach should be used for sex. “Absolutely no playing. I’m part of a group of women that go and many women quite rightly feel extremely unsafe and intimidated,” one said. A secluded beach near the official naturist site is hit by the same problems Credit: Ian Whittaker Locals have learned to accept the nudists – but are unhappy about the lewd behaviour Credit: Ian Whittaker Another creep said it was fine the “play with yourself” on the beach so long as there were not people around – but did warn you could be arrested. “I’m guessing taking photos of other people is definitely not on, but what about asking strangers to photograph you and your friends?,” another said. And other forums frequented by more innocent beach users complained about public sex acts or being offered sex while on beach. “I had a guy chat with me. I thought he was just being friendly and then he started adjusting himself and asking sexual questions and it just ruined my day,” one said. Others also criticised the creeps saying: “Nudist beach doesn’t mean an orgy. “Being naked doesn’t need to be sexual at all.” The beach also suffers due to its proximity to Duke’s Mound – an infamous dogging spot. The beach has found itself listed on one sex website along with the notorious location as also being a “dogging spot”. It reads: “Brighton’s infamous nudist beach, conveniently located directly in front of Duke’s Mound is extremely popular with doggers, voyeurs. But make sure you don’t offend the naturists.” According to police statistics, 400 violence and sexual offences were reported in the Black Rock nudist beach post code of BN2 1FG in the last 12 months. During our visit, the self-proclaimed swinger we spoke to turned many heads of passersby. And later during our visit we saw an elderly man entirely exposed from the waist down throwing rocks into the sea. A couple sit on the beach down near Shoreham Credit: Ian Whittaker Brighton and Hove has one of the busiest beaches in the UK (file image) Credit: AFP Meanwhile, one forum user recommended a fellow member to head down to Shoreham for a better bet of “late night tomfoolery”. The Sun has previously reported on the other naturist beach – where users report the same issues. They describe having seen a series of sex acts take place – particularly along the west side of the beach – with one woman reporting she had to quickly flee on spotting two men in an intimate encounter. There are also descriptions of “baseball cap-wearing” voyeurs in sunglasses who “stare in your direction all day”. The spot is said to have become so notorious that swingers propositioning people for sex is now allegedly a regular occurrence. The beach itself is accessed through several gaps in the sea wall, with red graffiti announcing: “Costa del B*******”. Ed, a local nudist, said: “They leer and smile at you while encroaching on your space. “My wife and I like to bathe naked, we’re not interested on anything else but they are convinced we’re there for some other sexual adventure.” Another woman told The Sun she knows a woman who is “really fed up” being hassled by men whilst on the beach. “She was there with her 13-year-old daughter and some guys were being really creepy,” she said. One local said: “We don’t have a problem with that at all. They’re just getting on with their business aren’t they? “But it’s when people do things like that where these men stand there and want to expose themselves. It’s a bit intimidating. “That’s when it crosses the line from people being in a designated area enjoying them to people exposing themselves.” The woman set up a Facebook group called Women Who Want to Feel Safe on the Beach. The Sun contacted Brighton and Hove City Council and Sussex Police for comment.