LOOE harbourmaster Jeff Penhaligon has described the practice of tombstoning as 'suicidal' after people were seen jumping off the Banjo Pier into the harbour at the weekend.

Mr Penhaligon said the hot weather had enticed more visitors to the coast and, unfortunately, instead of staying on the beach to swim, some people were jumping into the harbour putting their lives at risk.

'The harbour is busy with boats and the tide goes in and out at a fast rate,' he said. 'There is a bylaw making it illegal to swim there. People have jumped off the bridge, but the worse cases are those who jump from the towers on the west side. That is so dangerous – it's suicidal.'

Mr Penhaligon said every year he has to warn people about tombstoning, and the harbour staff were now looking out for incidents and issuing warnings.

'I would rather educate than prosecute, but some just won't listen, and 10 minutes later they are back jumping into the harbour again. I get terrible abuse from some people.'

Those tombstoning were an even mix of locals and visitors, adults and children, he said. 'Those old enough to know better should think about the effect on their families if there is a tragedy, and children, some as young as 10, should have more responsible parents,' he added.

Coastguards and Safer Cornwall have issued an urgent warning highlighting the dangers of tombstoning, described by them as 'the high risk activity of jumping or diving from height into water'.

They point out the dangers caused by water depths altering with the tide, water being shallower than it seems, submerged objects like rocks not being visible, the shock of cold water making it difficult to swim, and strong currents sweeping people away.?