Family visited by police after camping with child on steep cliff edge

<p>The family were visited by police officers after their campsite was reported</p> (Alistair Smith/Staithes Coastguard)

The family were visited by police officers after their campsite was reported

(Alistair Smith/Staithes Coastguard)

Rescue workers were scrambled to a family camping with a child on the edge of a cliff in a hazardous stretch of coastline known for landslips.

The couple and their young child were alerted to the trip to Staithes, North Yorkshire that breached coronavirus restrictions but police did not confirm whether they were fined.

Startling drone images shared by the coastguard showed the small tent just centimetres away from the steep cliff edge.

The coastguard added: “An officer from North Yorkshire Police also attended due to breach of coronavirus restrictions.

“Safety advice was given from Coastguard Rescue Officers due to the dangerous location of their tent, especially with recent landslips.

“If walking the Cleveland Way please stay on designated footpaths. If you see anyone at risk or in danger at the coast, immediately call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

The tent was precariously pitched at the beauty spotAlistair Smith/Staithes Coastguard
The tent was precariously pitched at the beauty spotAlistair Smith/Staithes Coastguard

Guidance on the government’s website reads: “You cannot leave your home or the place where you are living for holidays or overnight stays unless you have a reasonable excuse for doing so.

“This means that holidays in the UK and abroad are not allowed. This includes staying in a second home, caravan or boat, if that is not your primary residence.

“This also includes staying with anyone who you don’t live with unless they’re in your support bubble.”

Last month rescue workers attended landslides and cliff falls at Runswick Bay when 200 tonnes of rocks fell onto the beach below.

In 2018, Harriet Forster, 9, from Oxford, was killed after rocks fell onto the beach she was on in Staithes.

She had been visiting family at the seaside beauty spot before her death.

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