Popular Lake District beauty spot plagued by speeding jet skiers

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 06:15 EDT, 7 September 2026 | Updated: 06:31 EDT, 7 September 2026 Jet skiers are allegedly causing havoc on the popular Lake District spot where Donald Campbell set four world water speed records.Local police officers have been forced to clamp down on apparently speedy riders over the weekend.Patrols were carried out on Coniston Water by the South Lakes Neighbourhood Policing Team and Lake Rangers on Saturday.The officials stopped three jet skiers following allegations that they were travelling at excessive speed on the lake.In one incident, a red-coloured jet ski was stopped 'following reports by members of the public on numerous occasions of it being ridden recklessly at excessive speeds and putting other lake users at risk', South Lakes Police said.Police took the details of two men riding on the vehicle 'with a view to prosecuting the pair'. Jet skiers were caught allegedly driving at high speeds on Coniston Water on SaturdayAnother jet skier was allegedly caught 'driving at excessive speed' in a separate incident. After speaking directly to the individual, police will also be issuing a letter 'advising them that they may be prosecuted if they are again witnessed riding in an anti-social manner'.South Lakes Police added: 'We will continue to work with the Lake Rangers within the area to keep the public safe and identify any further inconsiderate riding on the lakes.Earlier this year, the iconic hydroplane Bluebird K7 returned to Coniston Water for the first time in nearly six decades since the notorious crash that killed its pilot.The Bluebird K7, piloted by Mr Campbell, reached a top speed of 276 miles per hour and set several water speed records before he crashed it in the hunt for a 300mph speed record on Coniston Water in the Lake District in January 1967.After spending 40 years gathering algae 142ft down in Coniston Water, the jet-propelled hydroplane was raised from the waters in 2001 and underwent extensive refurbishment and restoration. Patrols were carried out by the South Lakes Neighbourhood Policing Team and Lake Rangers This year marks the 70th anniversary of Mr Campbell's first world water speed record set on July 23, 1955 at 225.63mph. He set four water speed records on Coniston Water.The Bluebird was 11 years old at the time of the fatal crash in 1967 – when Mr Campbell was pushing for funding to build a new land speed record car that would take on the Americans.Despite warnings from his engineer and mechanic Leo Villa, Mr Campbell pushed on, piloting the vehicle at up to 70mph faster than its designed limits.He had been attempting to break 300mph and was driving at an estimated 320mph when the vehicle lifted itself out of the water.Bluebird somersaulted and smashed into the water before flipping several times over. Mr Campbell was killed instantly as the vessel disintegrated. He was 45.