New laws to combat 'tombstoning' in East Yorkshire

Two boys had to be rescued earlier this month after jumping from Bridlington pier into the sea

New laws have been enforced by an East Yorkshire council to try and combat people jumping into the sea from a height or "tombstoning".

The measure has been brought in after reports of people taking part in the activity in Bridlington.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council said it would be working with Humberside Police to enforce the byelaws which could see offenders fined £500.

This month two youths were rescued after jumping from Bridlington pier.

The council said the byelaws would be effective on promenades in Bridlington, Hornsea, Withernsea and Hessle.

One of the byelaws prohibits "people climbing on any wall, fence, tree, barrier, railing or structure without a reasonable excuse".

Paul Bellotti, head of housing and public protection at the council, said: "Tombstoning is extremely dangerous and, while we would prefer not to see people prosecuted for breaching the byelaws, we must act to avoid serious accidents or, even worse, fatalities occurring on our coast, when we have the tools to help prevent it."

Mike Pulpett, watch managed for Humber Coastguard, warned of the dangers of tombstoning.

"You may have some impact injuries which would stop you swimming back to the harbour wall, you may hit something or you may go straight under," he said.

"The sea temperature also has a cold shock effect - there's a whole host of things that can go wrong just for carrying out a few seconds of fun and a dare from your friends."

Incidents recorded by HM Coastguard show since 2007 there have been at least 14 deaths and 40 serious injuries nationally due to tombstoning.