CCTV being installed at mill where swimmer died

The derelict structure of Horstead Mill, with people sitting and swimming in the near and middle ground. The brick structure of the mill is on the left of the image and the current of the mill race can be seen towards the centre right of the image. — Image caption,
Horstead with Stanninghall Parish Council said it was in the process of having CCTV cameras installed when Ezra Tilford-Key got into difficulties while swimming

Andrew Turner

BBC News, Norfolk

5 September 2025, 09:14 BST

Updated 09:14 BST

CCTV cameras are being installed at a beauty spot where a young man died a month ago.

Ezra Tilford-Key, 23, had entered the water at Horstead Mill, in Norfolk, on 5 August. He died in hospital despite attempts to resuscitate him.

Horstead with Stanninghall Parish Council, which jointly owns the mill with the Environment Agency, has erected safety warnings and the stand for the cameras.

Council chairman Matt Stevenson said: "We hadn't expected something of this gravity, of someone losing their life, but we noticed behaviours that are worrying enough for us to want to address them."

Ezra Tilford-Key in what appears to be a nightclub or party. He is smiling. He has a full beard and moustache, and has medium-length dark hair. He is wearing a black t-shirt and a blue jacket. A light shaft from a spotlight can be seen behind him. — Image caption,
Ezra Tilford-Key was described by a family friend as a "lovely chap" who was "quite cheeky, funny" and "very loving"

The Norfolk coroner said Mr Tilford-Key's death was still under investigation and it had not yet opened inquest proceedings to establish the circumstances.

Norfolk Police has been approached for comment.

Ezra Tilford-Key has long dark hair and a beard and moustache. He is wearing a black hoodie-style top with random patterns in multiple colours. The edges of the image have been blurred for stylistic reasons to meet the picture template format. — Image caption,
Friends of Ezra Tilford-Key said he was "always there for them"

Mr Stevenson said the parish council was making no assumptions about the cause of Mr Tilford-Key's death, but said over the past two years it had become aware of concerning behaviour which it had been working to address.

He added: "There is already a lot of signage on site and it's been there historically but over a number of months we have become concerned about the risks that some people take using the mill.

"Things like people tombstoning off some of the historic structures into the millpond; there are signs there asking people not to do that by they need to be reinforced."

A yellow and blue sign is pinned to a fence warning of the dangers of jumping into the water below, which can be seen in the background. — Image caption,
A series of additional warning signs have been erected around Horstead Mill

Mr Stevenson said the CCTV being installed would not be monitored, but used to review behaviours or provide evidence in the event of future incidents.

"We had discussed CCTV being installed down there, which wasn't at the time of this incident," he added.

"We hope in the future having this extra set of eyes will help us understand the usage of the mill and if we need to, change behaviours."

Mr Stevenson added that the cameras would not be monitored live but were intended to be used in review if necessary.

New signs from HM Coastguard at the site also warn people about the dangers and possible serious consequences of jumping "into the unknown".