AUTHORITIES in East Yorkshire have renewed their warnings against jumping from the sea walls.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council, HM Coastguard and Humberside Police received several reports of people jumping into the sea off the sea wall in Bridlington, in the activity known as “tombstoning”.

The council has introduced byelaws, effective on the promenades of Bridlington, Hornsea, Withernsea and Hessle, to prohibit people climbing on any wall, fence, tree, barrier, railing, post or structure without a reasonable excuse.

The council’s foreshore officers will be working with Humberside Police to enforce the byelaws with immediate effect and any breach with a fine of up to £500.

Paul Bellotti, head of housing and public protection at East Riding of Yorkshire 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.”