Neighbours say they are “disgusted” a nature reserve has become a cruising spot and an illegal campsite.

Maz Meszaros, who lives opposite the Paddock on the Enfield and Haringey border, says she caught three men having sex on a picnic table in full public view in the park, and regularly sees people hanging around the park until late at night.

When the Enfield Independent went investigate inside the park, we also found large, permanent looking campsites with tents, suitcases and makeshift kitchens, as well as huge piles of rubbish nearby.

Ms Meszaros, a domestic violence help worker, claims a gay friend has had people contacting him on dating apps suggesting they meet in the Paddock for sex.

The 52-year-old said: “It’s a no-go area, I won’t go in unaccompanied. I have no objection to them meeting, I am a gay woman myself. But if they want to have sex they should pay for a room at a hotel.

“I was walking through the park with a friend a few weeks ago, and I saw three of them by on a picnic table. Two had their pants around their ankles, one was just stood there watching.

“It was in clear public view, any children or families could have seen them. It’s disgusting.”

Ms Meszaros, of Bream Close, Tottenham Hale, says she has called police several times, and has reported it to the council, but nothing has yet been done.

The Metropolitan Police said they are aware people are camping in the park, but it is responsibility of the council to move them on.

They say they are unaware of any indecent behaviour in the Paddock.

However, a neighbour of Ms Meszaros, a 26-year-old mother of two who did not want to be named, said she is concerned about the problem too.

She said: “I only go in with Maz, it is not a place for women to go into by themselves.

“In certain places they have pitched up tents. It is a nice looking area, but it has been ruined for us.

“Men go in there on an evening and don’t come out until the morning. It doesn’t take a genius to realise something is not quite right.

“My daughter is five and she knows something is going on, she is not stupid. My son is two and a half, and he keeps asking what is in the Paddock. I can’t take them inside.”

Haringey Council have been contacted for comment.