TWO air ambulances have landed on the beach at Durdle Door as emergency services deal with a "critical incident" involving people who had jumped off the arch.

Police have closed both Durdle Door and Lulworth while they continue to work with other emergency services at the scene.

The incident involved people jumping from the arch into the sea.

Three people have sustained serious injuries and are being treated by the ambulance service.

Bournemouth Echo:

An officer from Poole Police said: "Emergency Services are trying to deal with the incident.

"We ask please that you avoid the area for the rest of the day. If you are currently at the location, please calmly make your way home so we can ensure effective service delivery."

Dorset Police was called at 3.43pm on Saturday afternoon to a report of concern for the safety of people who were jumping off the cliff into the sea.

"The arch of Durdle Door is approximately 200 feet in height. Hitting water from that height can be critical," the officer added in a post on social media. "This is further compounded by tides, currents and altering depth of the sea bed. It is not an appropriate location for this type of activity."

An image posted on social media by Purbeck Police shows a crowd of people on the beach with helicopters on both sides of the large group.

Uniformed police officers can also been seen in the image.

A second photograph shows people in a long line making their way up the steps away from the beach.

Bournemouth Echo: Visitors to Durdle Door leave after police close the beach. Picture: Purbeck PoliceVisitors to Durdle Door leave after police close the beach. Picture: Purbeck Police

Dorset Police is appealing to the public to stay away from Durdle Door  as emergency services are in attendance to deal with a number of casualties.

Officers are at the scene to assist the ambulance service, HM Coastguard and the RNLI with clearing the area.

Bournemouth Echo: Visitors mark their way back from the beach to the car park at Durdle Door. Picture: Poole PoliceVisitors mark their way back from the beach to the car park at Durdle Door. Picture: Poole Police

Chief Inspector Claire Phillips, of Dorset Police, said: “We have had to close the beach at Durdle Door to allow air ambulances to land. As a result, we are evacuating the beach and the surrounding cliff area.

“I am urging people to leave the area to enable emergency services to treat the injured people.”