Campers pitch tent on edge of East Cliff, Bournemouth

Two people have pitched tents along the edge of East Cliff, along East Overcliff Drive, and angered residents have warned the dangerous situation could lead to death. 

Resident Peter Burnell, 64, said he doesn’t believe people realise the dangers of camping so close to the edge. 

He said: “They're going to probably not kill themselves but kill somebody else walking along the undercliff.

Peter and Tony (Image: Daily Echo)

“The attitude of them is they don’t care; they think they’re invisible. There are more campers in some bushes in land and they leave their litter everywhere. 

“These cliffs give way regularly and can do so at any moment, hence why the lift isn’t in use. Maybe they want to put themselves at risk but unfortunately, other people will end up hurt. 

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“The tourists will come down here, see how other people are behaving and then you can’t expect them to respect the town if they see that and expect it to be normal."

Residents are warned not to go on the cliff edge (Image: Daily Echo)

Currently, fences are in place separating the pavement and greenery along the cliff edge, but residents are calling for extra measures to be put in place to stop people from climbing over. 

Resident Tony Higgins, 70, added: “A few years ago, I saw a guy that had fallen off the cliff and they sent two ambulances and two police cars and a team to abseil down the cliff to rescue this man.

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“An air ambulance was also there.

"There is an accident waiting to happen."

Earlier this year, officers from the council were forced to close East Cliff zig zag because of “variations caused by the elements”.

It is believed the people presently camping may be homeless and the council is working with charities to move them.

A BCP spokesperson said: “We are aware of the presence of tents on the East Cliff. We are working to help resolve the situation.”