Police powerless to stop sunseekers

Lockdown rules flouted as thousands ignore official pleas to stay at home to visit beauty spots instead

AS IMAGES emerged of thousands of people huddled on a narrow strip of beach to allow rescue helicopters to land, police decided to take action in the middle of a sunny weekend and closed Durdle Door.

But just hours later officials admitted they were powerless to stop visitors, who continued to flock to the Dorset beauty spot, because it is privately owned.

While the council closed roads, Lulworth Estates, which owns the stretch of coastline, kept its car parks open, saying it would lead to “chaos” as people would park illegally. Hundreds of cars were seen driving around the road closed signs and there were reports people were parking four miles away and completing the journey on foot.

A day after three people were seriously injured jumping into the sea from the 200ft cliffs, more were seen attempting the same feat yesterday.

Pleas to stay away were ignored at beauty spots across the country. Tourist sites were so packed that social distancing measures were often impossible to follow as large groups gathered, flouting rules that people could only meet one-on-one with someone outside of home.

It followed criticism of Boris Johnson’s decision to announce in advance a change in the measures that came into effect this morning, meaning up to six people could meet outdoors. On the eve of the rules being eased, there were busy scenes in Brighton as tourists enjoyed temperatures of up to 77F (25C), leading Nancy Platts, the council leader, to call for more powers from Westminster to implement local lockdowns.

She said: “We need more powers from central government if we see cases of Covid-19 increase. We need to hear from the Government on this as a matter of urgency.”

In an appeal to visitors, a city council spokesman said: “We’re asking you to not visit unless absolutely critical. Please use parks and open spaces near to where you live.” In Dorset, police said the crowds on the most popular beaches meant social distancing was impossible.

In Bournemouth, tourists were seen on crowded beaches and standing shoulder to shoulder as they queued for ice cream and fish and chips.

At Durdle Door yesterday there were chaotic scenes for the second day running. After two air ambulances were scrambled to help so-called “tombstoners” – people jumping off cliffs into the water – Dorset council said the area would be closed “until further notice”.

A man in his early 20s, who was pulled unconscious from the sea before being airlifted to hospital, was said to be fighting for his life in hospital last night. A second man, aged about 25, suffered serious spinal injuries and was flown to hospital, while a third was believed to have broken his leg and was taken to hospital by ambulance. There were reports that people on the beach had been encouraging the tombstoners. In chaotic scenes, people were forced to herd tightly together to allow the air ambulances to land.

Asst Chief Constable Mark Callaghan, of Dorset Police, said: “If an emergency situation arises, we need to be able to clear an area. As there were too many people on the beach, we had no option but to put people together to allow helicopters to land.

“Yet again, we would remind the public that if an area looks too busy, please go home or elsewhere.” Yesterday morning, Dorset Police tweeted: “Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove remain closed today along with approach roads to the area. Please do not travel as you will be turned away.”

But by mid-morning. car parks were full and both the council and police said they were unable to stop people going on to the beach, which is privately owned by the Weld family. James Weld told the Dorset Echo that they had decided to keep car parks open to stop people parking elsewhere.

Mr Callaghan said: “We enforce the law and not government guidance or advice so we are unable to enforce social distancing, the wearing of masks or avoiding public transport. I am encouraging you all to do the right thing to avoid spreading the virus and reduce the impact on local communities.”

The Coastguard’s warnings against tombstoning also fell on deaf ears.

‘We enforce the law and not government guidance or advice so we are unable to enforce social distancing’