A BAYSIDE woman is calling for better signs to make it clear Red Bluff Beach’s foreshore is not a nudist beach after witnessing “disturbing behaviour” there.

The woman said she saw several people indulging in nude sunbathing at the beach, located about 20km south of the CBD, over several hours during a visit with friends on a Friday afternoon.

But what really concerned the woman, who did not want her name published, was the behaviour of two different men who performed “lewd” acts in front of her and other beachgoers on separate occasions during the same day.

“The beach is a place for everyone and anyone to come and relax and enjoy the great weather, not to expose themselves to people and perform lewd acts towards people,” she said.

The woman said it was her understanding that the area was once a nudist beach but there were signs clearly stating nude bathing was prohibited.

A website listing nude beaches described Red Bluff as an “unofficial lovely spot” on March 8 last year.

She said they called Bayside Council to report the behaviour and were told the information would be passed to police.

But the woman said her group had to leave by then because it “wasn’t a nice day at the beach anymore”.

“It is a family beach and a public area. I think there needs to be a bit more signage because I think people are taking advantage of the fact that it was once a nude beach,’’ she said.

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Bayside police Senior Sergeant Dale Johnson said behaviour described by the woman could be categorised as wilful obscene behaviour and was a criminal offence.

But Sen-Sgt Johnson said residents needed to contact police and report incidents when they happened so they could take action.

He said police had previously targeted flashers who were accosting joggers using the tracks near the foreshore and had made several arrests.

”If we are getting people down on the foreshore inappropriately dressed or exposing themselves, people should phone the police on 000,” Sen-Sgt Johnson said.

”If we know about it we might direct foot patrols to the area, but at least the call will be flagged.’’

Bayside Council city strategy director Shiran Wickramasinghe said public nudity and inappropriate behaviour issues were the responsibility of police.

Mr Wickramasinghe said the public should contact police directly.

He said any information the council received was forwarded to police.