The UK government has issued a national lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, but that hasn’t kept picture-takers from flocking to a particular “Blue Lagoon” in Buxton. So, to make the spot less attractive for photos, the UK police decided to dye the bright blue waters black.



UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a stay-at-home order last week and stated that “if you don’t follow the rules, the police will have the power to enforce them.”

After hearing that people were still gathering at the abandoned limestone quarry in Harpur Hill, Buxton Police decided to make use of their enforcement powers.

“Yesterday we received reports that people were congregating at the ‘Blue Lagoon’ in Harpur Hill, Buxton,” the department wrote on March 25th. “No doubt this is due to the picturesque location and the lovely weather (for once!) in Buxton.

“However, the location is dangerous and this type of gathering is in contravention of the current instruction of the UK Government. With this in mind, we have attended the location this morning and used water dye to make the water look less appealing.”

Here are a couple of Instagram photos of the Blue Lagoon taken in recent times before it became a black lagoon.

“[I]t has never been so important to discourage these types of gatherings,” the police state. “Please stay at home.”

Image credits: Photographs by the Buxton Police SNT