Giving new meaning to the term “flash mob,” the British have invented a new sex craze called “dogging” that mixes sex, exhibitionism, mobs and the Internet.

Dogging combines technology with swinging, cruising and voyeurism. To wit: Crowds big and small watch exhibitionist couples who’ve met on the Net have sex in cars, and sometimes join in.

“Dogging is the broad term used to cover all the sexual outdoor activities that go on,” says the dogging FAQ at After Dark UK Swingers, a popular dogging site. “This can be anything from putting on a show from your car, to a gangbang on a picnic table.”

Dogging appears to be popular and widespread, attracting heterosexual couples and single men and women of all ages, income brackets and backgrounds. Not surprisingly, however, dogging meets tend to attract more men than women.

Dogging is most often practiced in cars at rural parks, lover’s lanes and superstore parking lots. The term dogging has a number of suggested origins, but it probably refers to the “walking the dog” excuse proffered to spouses for an evening’s absence.

Dogging sessions are usually organized through the dozens of dogging sites and message boards that have sprung up in the last couple of years. Photos are exchanged and meetings arranged by e-mail or mobile phone text message.

At the meet, cell phones and text messages are used to confirm meeting places and, crucially, identities. Cameras and videophones are increasingly used to record what goes on.

“Technology is vital and is the main driver (of the dogging phenomenon),” said Richard Byrne, a lecturer at Harper Adams University College in the United Kingdom who produced a survey (PDF) last year that found dogging to be a widespread and growing problem in Britain’s country parks.

Dogging is so prevalent, 60 percent of U.K. country parks are affected by it, Byrne’s report estimated.

A wooded area close to the A38 in Gloucestershire advertised as an area “to meet and have sex” is being monitored by police and council staff.

Tewkesbury Borough Council said activities on Brockeridge Common were causing concern to local residents and creating a litter problem.

A spokesman said it was speaking to the landowner to make the area more visible in an attempt to deter “dogging”.

He added residents were being asked to let police know of any incidents.

The council spokesman said the area had been advertised on websites and people were parking at the lay-by by Brockeridge Common before jumping over a fence into woodland.

Legally, the issue of dogging is a grey area as those taking part are committing no offence unless they are witnessed by a member of the public who can be defined as “outraged” in the eyes of the law.

BIRDWATCHERS have been locked out of a car park at an RSPB beauty spot due to  the activities of doggers.

Gates have been shut at the Highnam reserve on the A40, seven years after the  hide was shut because of people cruising the area day and night for sex.

“We have just had enough,” said RSPB spokesman Tony Whitehead. “It’s a  terrible shame and it’s a last resort. It’s done with heavy heart but while it  remains a target for people who engage in this inappropriate behaviour, we have  no option.”

RSPB staff have had to check the site at odd hours and remove items,  including used condoms, while some members of the public have been confronted  with people having sex in broad daylight. Complaints about the activities have  been received regularly by the RSPB. The bird charity was considering removing  some vegetation but that would have meant changing the habitat of the area, so  it was ruled out.

The reserve is still accessible by bicycle or on foot but virtually all of  its visitors arrive by car.

The RSPB will open the car park for pre-arranged visits and will be running events throughout the year.

Police spokesman Chris Jackson said: “This was the RSPB’s decision and  follows 18 months of multi-agency work to try and resolve the issues in the  area.

“We have consulted with independent advisers, charities and local councillors  to try and improve the situation and understand the decision that has now been  taken by the landowners.

“While we had regular patrols prior to the closure, this measure has now  resolved the issue at the site. While we have found evidence of sexual activity  at the site there have not been any prosecutions in connection with the issue.  We are aware of the effect this has on the staff who work there and the general  public in the area.”