Three men arrested on suspicion of blackmail after incidents at Shipston layby known as a dogging site
A SITE suspected of being used by people meeting for sex has been closed by police after reports of victims being forced to withdraw cash from an ATM.
The secluded layby off the A429 Fosse Way by the Blackwell turning has police barricades up warning that it is closed.
Late last month, the force put out a somewhat cryptic statement about what had gone on at the layby and urged the public to report if they had been a victim of crime there.
The statement read: “We’re issuing a warning and appealing for people to come forward following several linked incidents in Shipston. Over the past few weeks, there have been a number of similar incidents at a layby on the A429 Fosse Way close to Darlingscott crossroads. In each incident the victim has been parked up during the early evening, subjected to abusive comments and threatened before being made to withdraw a quantity of money.
“We’re now warning the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity in the area off the back of the recent incidents.”
Detective Inspector Rich Simpkins added: “We appreciate that these incidents are slightly unusual, and we understand the local community may be concerned, but we would like to reassure them we have begun a thorough investigation and are treating the incidents as linked at this time.
“We are keen to find out as much as possible around the circumstances of these incidents so we can build a bigger picture. As part of this, we’d ask anyone who may have been a victim but has not yet spoken to us to come forward.
“We’re also appealing for members of the public to be vigilant – if you’re travelling in that area and you spot anything that looks suspicious, please let us know.”
Following the release of the statement speculation was rife as to what had gone on.
Locally, the layby has a reputation of being somewhere people go ‘dogging’ – to have sex in public under cover of darkness, while others look on – and has earned the nickname ‘Doggers’ Alley’.
One resident from nearby Stretton-on-Fosse told the Herald: “I’ve heard that that’s where dogging has happened for years.”
The site is also listed on the Swinging Heaven website, which is run by a group of dogging enthusiasts.
A Shipston resident, who wished to remain anonymous, added: “People definitely get up to no good there – whether it’s sex or drugs. Why else would people who live in Shipston go and park there?
“We heard that the incidents involved people saying they’ve been hit over the head with a metal bar and being made to go and withdraw money from a cashpoint in the town. But that doesn’t really make sense. The rumours are that really the victims are being blackmailed in some way.”
The police warning has worried motorists, who fear there is an attacker on the loose.
The source continued: “I think it’s irresponsible of the police not to be clearer about what’s gone on. People are scared they might be attacked if they pull over somewhere.”
Meanwhile Warwickshire Police continued to resist the Herald’s call for clarity.
A spokesperson would only say: “We can confirm there have been at least three incidents recently but we believe there may be more people who have not yet come forward and would ask for them to contact us.”
They added: “Any information, no matter how small it may seem, could help our ongoing investigation so please get in touch.”
Contact the force on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 quoting incident/reference number 290 of 24 January.
- Police revealed today (Thursday) that three men have been arrested in connection with incidents linked to the layby in Shipston. The men, aged 20, 28 and 30, were arrested on suspicion of blackmail.
