EASTBOURNE Coastguard has issued a stark warning after people were seen to be looking over the cliffs at Beachy Head at the weekend
Shocking photos taken on Sunday showed spectators standing just inches from the edge of Eastbourne’s crumbling cliffs to try and get a better view of the air show.
The Coastguard has condemned the actions, warning that people are ‘practically standing on nothing’ when they venture beyond the rope barrier.
A spokesperson said: “Is a photo worth the risk of possibly losing your life? Cliffs are inherently unstable. Erosion from the sea and weather can cause them to collapse without warning. The rope is there for a reason – it marks a safe distance. Keep back, and never put your children at risk.”
Experts warn that Sussex’s chalk cliffs are among the fastest eroding in the country, with sudden collapses an all-too-frequent danger. In recent years, huge sections have given way unexpectedly, sending thousands of tonnes of rock crashing to the beach below.
The Coastguard is urging the public to treat the cliffs with extreme caution, reminding visitors that a photo or view is never worth a life.
