West Dorset residents have told of their shock after teenagers were spotted scrambling up a crumbling cliff in West Bay.
A group of around five young people were photographed climbing from the beach at West Bay to the top of the 150ft high West Cliff.
A concerned onlooker, who witnessed the incident, said: “They were dicing with death. This is not okay.”
School summer holidays combined with a recent heatwave have seen a large influx of visitors to the west Dorset resort in recent days.
West Bay, which has been popularised as a destination through popular TV series Harbour Lights and Broadchurch, has seen an increased number of rockfalls in recent months.
A section of West Bay Esplanade has been closed off and warns people of the unstable cliffs.
Rockfalls are frequent and the cliff is also 'slumping', the sign warns, meaning that there is a possibility that it could collapse at any time.
A pair of west Dorset residents described the incident as 'concerning,' adding that 'parents should do more to make sure their children are aware of the dangers.'
Another local resident said: "I haven't personally noticed anyone climbing the cliffs, but it is very concerning. You get a lot of people ignoring the warning signs and walking close to the edge of East Cliff though."
Thousands of tonnes of rock have been known to fall from the nearby East Cliff at any given time and it has previously been described as a ‘ticking time bomb’ by Dorset residents.
A spokesperson for Dorset Council said: “Currently the coast path over East Cliff remains closed due to erosion and cracks along the route of the path. Our rangers are monitoring this path but have been working with the golf course to provide an alternative route.
“The Jurassic Coast looks the way it does because of erosion from weather and the sea. Rockfalls and landslips are part of the movement which makes up the unique nature of this coastline, and they can happen at any time.
“Please stay safe by taking notice of warning signs and keep to existing paths. Stay away from the edge and the base of cliffs.”
There are signs in the area to warn people of the dangers of the cliffs.
Leo Henley-Lock, Countryside Manager for the National Trust in West Dorset, previously told the News: "The coast and cliffs along this stretch of the Jurassic Coast are unstable and naturally liable to landslips and falls at any time without warning.
"We would urge people to take the time to read warning signs in car parks and footpaths and follow their instructions so they can enjoy the coast safely.”
Recently, a daredevil camper made the decision to pitch up a tent on the cliff’s edge.
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