Safety reminder that isolated beach remains closed after padlock tampered with

Access to Bedruthan Steps beach remains closed after coastguard teams were called to reports of people on the sand and in the water at the weekend.

Volunteers from Padstow and Newquay Coastguard were tasked to assist National Trust staff at around 4pm on Sunday.

A spokesperson said: “It transpired that someone had vandalised the lock on the gate at the top of the stairs to Bedruthan Steps Beach. There was a rockfall on the stairs a few years ago and they have been closed ever since due to the damage caused.

“Sadly, multiple people ignored the sign on the gate and accessed the beach, some with their children. With a fast incoming tide, the National Trust staff were worried that someone would be cut off and not manage to leave the beach in time.”

The team say they monitored the area from vantage points on the cliffs to make sure the beach, gullies, caves and coves were empty before the gate was re-secured and locked.

Members of the public were also given safety advice in the area.

The Coastguard said: “Access to Bedruthan Steps beach remains closed. The beach is very dangerous with multiple rip currents and many tidal cut-off points as well as loose cliffs. The tidal movements are also very rapid, as the beach is so flat.

“If you were to get in to difficulty on the beach or in one of the coves between Bedruthan and Diggory’s, the Coastguard Rescue Teams are only able to access the beach via a cliff set-up. This means there would be a delay in reaching you.

“Please enjoy the beautiful view safely from the look-out point. If you would like a swim then we have plenty of equally stunning lifeguarded beaches nearby.”