Police have dyed the normally bright blue water of a beauty spot in Buxton black, in a bid to deter people from gathering there.

Flouting government instructions to stay at home in a bid to slow down coronavirus, groups were reportedly meeting up at the disused quarry at Harpur Hill, near Buxton.

Image: Officers in full protective clothing. Pic: Facebook/BuxtonSNT

Image: It's not the first time dye has been added to the pool. Pic: Facebook/BuxtonSNT

Officers posted photos of the normally pretty pool on Facebook, showing before and after shots of the pit with and without the black dye.

Derbyshire Police wrote in their message: "Yesterday we received reports that people were congregating at the 'Blue Lagoon' in Harpur Hill, Buxton.

"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."

Images show two officers in full white protective coveralls and face masks as they set about discolouring the pool.

Image: PH levels in the water can cause skin irritations. Pic: Facebook/BuxtonSNT

It's not the first time officers have resorted to adding colour to the water in a bid to discourage antisocial behaviour.

Working in partnership with High Peak Borough Council and Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service they have done the same thing in previous years due to the toxicity of the water.

Image: The cold water is full of rubbish and dead animals too. Pic: Facebook/BuxtonSNT

While the water looks appealing, it gets it colour from the caustic chemicals in the quarry stone, meaning the PH levels can cause skin irritations.

The pool also contains rubbish and dead animals and is very cold.

In another bid to make sure the public adhere to social distancing rules, police officers in south west London now are overseeing entry to Richmond Park.

The 2,500-acre park has also banned cyclists, unless they are an NHS key worker with a badge or a child under 12 accompanied by an adult on foot.

Meanwhile, a video showing a police officer handing out a ticket to a shop owner in Edgware, north London, after she sprayed chalk-paint markers on the road to help her customers remain two meters apart has gone viral.

Taken on Golders Green high street by a friend of my uncle's: cop writes up shopkeeper for drawing *in chalk* lines to keep her customers two metres apart. pic.twitter.com/E1MWgQh0e4 — Eleanor Margolis (@EleanorMargolis) March 27, 2020

Filmed by a bystander, the officer tells the shop owner that despite coronavirus, "The law is the law, it doesn't change, otherwise there would be anarchy."

His actions have drawn much criticism online, with many considering his handing out of a ticket to be inappropriate in the current climate.

One Twitter user commented: "He is NOT 2 metres away from her. He's the danger and not respecting government advice. It's chalk, anarchy will not be chalk based, in my humble opinion."