THE Coastguard has issued safety advice after holidaymakers visited Bedruthan Steps Beach despite access being closed to the public.

Newquay and Padstow coastguard teams assisted National Trust staff after several people were spotted enjoying themselves in the sea on Sunday, August 24 at 4pm.

The group had gained access to the beach after the locked gate was vandalised and they had ignored warning signs.

The beach has been closed to the public for more than five years due to hazardous rockfalls.

A spokesperson for Padstow Coastguard 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 covered all vantage points from the cliff tops and ensured that the beach and various gully’s, caves and coves were indeed empty.

“Once it was established that everyone was safe, the gate was re-secured and locked.”

“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 people 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 them.”