Picture of youngsters on crumbling West Bay cliff after rockfall

It was taken by photographer Daryl Gill of West Bay Photography, who flew his drone up from East Beach, West Bay last night, Wednesday, May 24.

It shows two young females, thought by Mr Gill to be teenagers, taking what appears to be ‘selfies’ on the crumbling East Cliff on a sunny evening.

Just three days earlier a large portion of rock fell from the same cliff not far away from people on East Beach.

Mr Gill said he is sharing the picture he took from his drone last night to raise awareness about the deadly nature of the 150ft precarious sandstone cliffs.

He is now calling for East Beach to be closed to the public because of the danger.

Mr Gill said: “I sent my drone up and took these pictures deliberately. I was shocked to see these people up there on the screen of my drone.

“They were on the bit of cliff that looks as though it’s going to go.

“There is a sign up there but people are just ignoring it. It’s like they are taking no notice. I used to be on that beach all the time as a youngster but I haven’t been close to those cliffs for years because it’s so scary.

“I just don’t think people understand that it could drop at any moment.

“I don’t know if more signs could go up past the coast path – but if it was up to me the beach would be closed.”

Beachgoers, circled in red, captured on CCTV near the rockfall at East Cliff, West Bay, on Sunday evening (Image: Environment Agency /BNPS)

Mr Gill has been taking photos of West Bay for three years and has lived in the resort for 25 years.

He said he noticed that people were ‘ignoring’ the signs on the beach telling people not to go near the base of the cliff.

“I don’t know how you stop people – they just seem to do what they want to do. It’s just not worth it,” he said.

In 2012 tourist Charlotte Blackman, 22, was crushed to death by a huge landslip as she walked under the cliffs further along the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site at Burton Bradstock.

A spokesperson for Dorset Council said countryside rangers make sure that warning signs and fencing, where necessary, are in place.

They continually check the coast path to ensure the safety of people using it.

People are also urged to keep their dogs on leads near the cliff top.

"We continue to remind people that the Jurassic Coast looks the way it does because of erosion - meaning it is always on the move.

"Remember, the golden rules: Stay away from the edge of the cliff top - admire the view from a safe distance

"Stay away from the base of cliffs: rock falls and landslides can happen at any time. If you are under a rock fall, the likelihood is you will die

"Pay attention to warning signs – they are there for your safety

"Check tide times before you set off to avoid being cut off by incoming tides

"Keep dogs on leads near the cliff edge.

"The Jurassic Coast is a wonderful place to visit, but it's important to use common sense and caution – stay away from the edge and base of cliffs and always pay attention to warning signs and safety messages."

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman warned that cliffs along the UK coastline are continually eroding 'with pieces falling from them that can be just a few small rocks or as large as a car.'

"It’s impossible to predict when the next piece might fall or how big it will be. It’s very clear that cliffs are very unstable in places.

"We really can’t stress enough how important it is to keep back from the edge. There is no ‘safe’ place to be. Some of the cracks that have appeared have been several feet away from the edge. Don’t be tempted to go and investigate and don’t risk going to the edge to get a dramatic picture.

"One of our biggest problems is the ‘selfie-culture’ where people take great risks to get a dramatic photograph of themselves on a dangerous cliff edge – no selfie is worth risking your life for.

"Use the designated paths, take notice of any warning signs, be responsible and don’t take any unnecessary risks."