Man dies in Southbourne cliff fall as police refer case to watchdog

A man has died after falling from a cliff in Dorset.

Police responded to Southbourne Overcliff Drive, near Fisherman’s Walk, in Bournemouth, at 11:19 BST on Friday after concerns were raised over the welfare of a man in the area.

Officers arrived and began speaking to the man from a distance. He then fell from height, and a short time later it was confirmed he had died at the scene.

Dorset Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to contact officers had with the man before his death, which is not being treated as suspicious.

The man is yet to be formally identified.

The force said self-referral is standard practice in such situations.

A spokesperson said a large number of people were in the area at the time and urged members of the public not to share images or videos online.