FOREST users have said crime has become worse since a horse patrol service was scrapped.

The City of London Corporation decided last month to replace mounted forest keepers in Epping Forest with car and foot patrols.

But the former Chairman of Epping Forest Riders Association Adrian Liddle said now there is nowhere to report crimes.

He added: “The number has switched over to a call centre in Surrey but their knowledge of the forest isn't very good. You can get someone at the other end asking where Epping Forest is.

"Nothing has happened since the last meeting and something needs to be done. There's been the commitment that it will be all revamped but nothing has happened.”

The Guardian recently reported that people engaging in public sex had been warned against using Epping Forest because of the forest keepers patrolling the area.

But now people are worried the area could become a 'dogging' hotspot as word travels that mounted keepers are no longer in action.

Fiona Daniels from Thornwood was flashed in the forest recently.

She said: “The forest is one hell of an awful place and it doesn't get monitored properly. My friend recently came across a group of men having sex near Theydon Bois and she said she had never driven away from somewhere so fast.

"There are things going on but the City of London don't seem to want to spend the money to keep people safe. They are being so naive and they need to come up with some better ideas.”

Member of the Riders' Association Dario Kenson said: “The fact the mounted section isn't there any more brings up a vast amount of problems. There's all sorts of things going on.

"There are a couple of roads which are closed and we have seen things ourselves. I think I frightened the life out of one couple when I galloped past them on my horse.

"Having the mounted keepers was always a deterrent and without them it could lead to serious problems.”

A City of London Spokesperson said: "The Forest Keeper service has been increased from eight staff members to twelve, to provide increased foot and mountain bike patrols across Epping Forest 365 days a year. "Duty Managers are on-call every night to deal with emergency matters out-of-hours."