Warning to stay away from 'hazardous' disused quarry
BBCPolice have renewed warnings not to enter a disused quarry in Oxfordshire amid a rise in visitors during the recent hot weather.
Thames Valley Police said there had been an increase in reports of people visiting Chinnor Quarry, also known as Old Kiln Lakes, alongside social media posts "encouraging others to attend and swim".
The force said the private site "should not be accessed under any circumstances", citing "extremely hazardous" water and steep cliff faces that pose "potentially life-threatening risks".
The warning comes as much of the UK experiences warm weather, prompting emergency services to repeat water‑safety advice after 11 people drowned in incidents around the country in recent days.
In August, a man died at Chinnor Quarry despite previous warnings against swimming in its "highly toxic" water pools.
Police said they had also received reports of anti-social behaviour and parking problems in the area, adding that entering the site was trespassing.
"The water is extremely hazardous and can cause significant health issues, and the site is surrounded by steep cliff faces with unstable ground," the force said.
"Entering the water or climbing within the quarry can quickly lead to serious injury or worse."
Nearby pub The Crown also urged people to stay away in a Facebook post, asking visitors to the area to "stop travelling here expecting a 'Blue Lagoon' experience".
"We are seeing hoards of people walking by and cars arriving full of visitors treating this area as a tourist attraction," the pub said.
It said the water had "exceptionally high alkaline levels, comparable to bleach, making it toxic and unsafe".
"This is not a beauty spot or a place to cool off," the pub added, warning of "steep 40ft (12m) sheer drops" and "hidden old machinery beneath the water".
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said small behavioural changes could reduce the risk of drowning, while councils urged people to use supervised outdoor swimming facilities instead.
