Durham police say they have arrested and charged seven men with indecent acts allegedly committed at a Whitby conservation area.

In a news release issued in Monday, police said for the past week they have sent plainclothes officers to the Lynde Shores Conservation Area on the north shore of Lake Ontario.

"Multiple complaints have been received about adult men exposing themselves in the conservation area and also participating in sexual acts in public view," police said, explaining investigators’ belief the area had been identified for casual sexual encounters through "web-based communication channels."

According to a description of the conservation area posted on a website, groups frequenting the area include "Factory workers getting off work or on break, some office types.... 35+ age group mostly."

The site, which not only details “cruising areas” in Whitby, but around the world, also warns visitors to the Lynde Shores Conservation Area to beware of "damn militant 'Nazi' type bird watchers. You'll know who they are, because they'll give you a look."

Police don't usually come to the area, the undated webpage said.

But in their statement, police said they have been visiting the area regularly over the past week, and will continue to do so in the “coming days and weeks.” Of those arrested, most were between the ages of 49 and 71, they said, saying that they "were observed either exposing themselves to others or participating in sexual acts in public," they said.

One of the seven, a 62-year-old Oshawa man, has been charged with sexual assault for allegedly not disclosing his HIV-positive status to the man he was with, police said.

Eleven other men face a charge of trespass to property. They are alleged to have entered environmentally sensitive areas that have been designated as off-limits, police said.

One of the 11 has been charged with obstructing police after he alleged tried to warn others about the police presence, they said.

People with new information about illicit activities at the conservation area are asked to call the Central West Division Target Team at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 1871.

They can also contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the website www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca.

