'Closed' Durdle Door packed as tourists ignore pleas from police

After images emerged of thousands of tourists huddled together on a beach to allow rescue helicopters to land, Dorset Police announced in the middle of a sunny weekend that Durdle Door was closed.

But just hours later officials were forced to admit that they were powerless to stop the hundreds of visitors who continued to flock to the beauty spot because it is privately owned.

Whilst the council closed the roads, Lulworth Estates which owns the stretch of coastline refused to close the car parks saying that it would lead to “chaos” as people would still visit and park illegally.

Hundreds of cars simply drove around the road closed signs, the council admitted, whilst  there were reports of people parking four miles away and completing the journey on foot.

Less than 24 hours after three people were seriously injured jumping from the 200ft cliffs, more were seen attempting the same feat on Sunday.

The pleas for people to stay away were echoed - and ignored - at beauty spots across the country.

Tourist hotspots were so packed that social distancing measures instructing people to stay 2 metres apart were impossible to follow and large groups gathered apparently flouting rules which meant people could only meet one-on-one with anyone outside their household.

There has been criticism of Boris Johnson’s decision to announce in advance a change in the measures which come into effect on Monday which means up to six people can meet outdoors.

On the eve of the relaxation, busy scenes in Brighton as tourists enjoyed temperatures of up to 25C led the council leader to call for more powers from Westminster in order to implement local lockdowns.

"If you love Brighton & Hove, please stay away for the time being, we are too busy,” a council spokesperson said.

They pointed out that local people needed to access open spaces, adding: "We're asking you to not visit Brighton & Hove unless absolutely critical -  please use parks and open spaces near to where you live.”

In Dorset the police said that the sheer number of people on their most popular beaches meant that social distancing was impossible.

In Bournemouth tourists were seen packed on the beach and standing shoulder to shoulder as they queued for ice creams and fish and chips.

Just 20 miles along the coast at Durdle Door saw chaotic scenes for the second day running.

After two air ambulances were forced to attend to help so-called tombstoners on Saturday, 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 whilst a third is believed to have suffered a broken leg and was taken to hospital by land ambulance.

There were reports that people on the beach had shouted encouragement at those who were considering jumping.

Members of the public had to be herded close together at the centre of the beach to allow the air ambulances to land.

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

“Yet again, we would remind the public that if an area looks too busy, please go home or elsewhere.”

On Sunday morning Dorset Police tweeted:

But by mid-morning the car parks were full. The council and the police admitted that they were powerless to stop people going onto the beach as the land is privately owned by the Weld family.

James Weld told the Dorset Echo that they had decided to open car parks to stop people parking dangerously.

Assistant Chief Constable 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 – jumping off cliffs into water – also fell on deaf ears.