WHAT does it take to keep people away from dangerous areas of beach?

You might think official tape and warning signs from the local council and Her Majesty’s Coastguard might be enough.

But a worrying number of people in Swanage have got the idea that such warnings don’t apply to them.

Despite a large section of the north beach being closed off because of landslips looming above, people have continued to walk through. Some have brought children and dogs with them, while one man was pictured sweeping debris from his beach hut’s roof.

Have some people become so taken up with the idea of ‘health and safety gone mad’ that they don’t listen to very sensible safety warnings?

If so, a glance upwards at the tonnes of sandstone, clay and vegetation sitting precariously above the beach should convince them that these health and safety measures are no overreaction.