Groups of daredevils are defying police warnings and continuing to jump into the sea from the roof of a charity-owned holiday home in Tenby, Pembrokeshire. The activity, known as 'tombstoning,' involves people jumping vertically into water from a high ledge.
Police have stated that the youths are risking their lives, yet groups have been observed clambering onto the roof of the Harriet Davis Seaside Holiday Trust building, which provides respite for families of disabled or poorly children. Footage of these jumps has been circulated on social media with captions like "Got to keep the Tenby tradition going!"
The charity has expressed alarm, urging authorities to intervene before a fatality occurs. Carol Lincoln, Senior Administrator for the trust, described the activity as an "extremely serious danger to life," not only for the jumpers but also for any boats that might be in the water below. She noted that as many as 24 young people have been seen on the roof during high tides, jumping into the sea and causing damage to the building.
Lincoln also reported that youths are banging on the property's doors and windows as they access and descend from the roof, causing distress to families staying at the property. She stated that when families reported these incidents to the police, they were sometimes told no officers would attend. When police did respond, they suggested practical measures like moving bins that youths were using to climb onto the roof.
The charity has spent thousands of pounds on repairs and has attempted to deter the youths by installing anti-climb paint and plastic spikes on the roof. However, these measures have reportedly been vandalized, with the paint smeared on walls and spikes being ripped from the roof, exacerbating the damage.
Lincoln emphasized that the families using the holiday home are often local, comprising parents and carers of children with profound disabilities or complex medical needs. For many, these holidays are a precious opportunity for family bonding that would otherwise be impossible. The fear and distress caused by the tombstoning activities are making these much-needed breaks unbearable.
County Councillor Michael Williams has supported the charity, writing to the police to express concern about potential fatalities and the criminal damage and trespass occurring. He stated that the trust and its guests are being let down by the inability or unwillingness of authorities to address the situation.
Tombstoning has a history of leading to serious injuries and fatalities in the UK. The article cites past incidents in Plymouth and Margate, highlighting the dangers posed by misjudging jumps and the variability of water depths due to tides, a factor also present in Tenby Harbour.