POLICE were called to Burton Cliff for the fourth time in nine days over the same Bridport woman.

West Bay Coastguard said they were contacted at around 2.30pm on Wednesday afternoon to the woman, in her 40s, who was on the edge of Burton Cliffs in between Hive Beach and Freshwater.

A spokesman for West Bay Coastguard said the incident was the third repeat incident involving the same woman.

They said five rescue officers from West Bay attended the incident and Lyme Regis coastguard team was also asked to attend the scene.

A message was then passed from the police to coastguards saying that the woman had been located and was now in the care of Dorset Police.

The latest development comes after police were called by members of the public at 11.13am on Monday following concerns for the welfare of the woman, who had been the focus of two previous rescue operations on Monday and Tuesday last week.

In that incident the beach was closed between the Freshwater side of Burton Cliff and the Hive Beach Cafe, but reopened a short time after.

Inspector Mike Darby said of Monday's incident: "The lady was sectioned and taken to St Ann's hospital in Poole where she was seen by medical professionals, and she was then released to local experts in Bridport.

Many members of the public questioned whether the individual involved in the cliff-top incidents was getting the help she needed.

Insp. Darby reassured residents, saying: "We are organising a multi-agency meeting to see how we can assist her.

"Bridport Police are working closely with local health professionals to ensure that we will all provide as much care and assistance as we can to this lady at this time."

Joanne Seward, manager and facilitator at the Harmony mental health drop-in centre in Bridport, said: "Local mental health services are really good - we are supporting 40 people, many of whom are also clients of the Bridport Community Mental Health Team, of whom they speak very highly. 

"As one in four people will experience a mental health problem at some time during their lives, there is clearly a great need for all mental health services to work together so that people have choices about the support they receive."

When asked if she felt the lady had received appropriate support, she said: "I feel sure that the police would have taken her to a place of safety, where she would have received a full mental health assessment from experts.

"The various services involved would then have met with her to agree the best way of supporting and safeguarding her going forward."

Joanne added that although Harmony Drop-in is not an emergency mental health service, anyone living with a mental health problem who feels they need support is welcome to call in to the centre on Downes Street.

She stressed that people in great need can also contact the Crisis Response Team on 01305 361269 for urgent out-of-hours assistance, or contact their GP.