Scores of youths are ‘at risk’, tombstoning off Exmouth Marina, swimming out to clamber into fishing trawlers landing their catch, and turning abusive when challenged, sparking a police plea to parents to control their kids.
Co-ordinated efforts are being launched to tackle an outbreak of anti-social behaviour at a Devon town’s marina where young people are increasingly putting themselves at danger, writes local democracy reporter Bradley Gerrard.
Exmouth Marina issued a public plea to parents on Facebook about a rise in the number of youths jumping into the water – including at low tide – and reports of incidents where staff were verbally abused.
Even efforts to prevent access – such as metal sheet fencing – has failed to deter some youths, who insisted on climbing over it so they could continue jumping into the water.
Now, senior Marina staff are meeting with the town’s police to discuss the ongoing issue.
Exmouth Marina staff have put up barriers in a bid to stop youths tombstoning, jumping into the water below. Image: Google Maps.
It is not yet clear what actions could be taken. Under Sections 34 and 35 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, the police can clear people from an area where anti-social behaviour is taking place, however, it is not yet clear whether this or another strategy will be used.
The town’s police recently urged young people against so-called ‘tombstoning’ into the water, and urged families to ensure they know where their children are.
The marina said it was working closely with local councils and the community to “resolve the situation and ensure the safety of both the general public and Exmouth Marina users”.
“Over recent weeks, Exmouth Marina staff have faced daily abuse from children and teenagers whilst simply trying to prevent them from seriously injuring themselves or worse,” the Marina’s Facebook post stated.
“This morning, as a last resort, we had to fence off sections of the quay because of the number of young people jumping into the busy marina entrance at low tide or in front of moving boats.
“Rather than respecting the barriers, some chose to climb over the fencing to continue putting themselves at risk.”
It added that children had been swimming to commercial fishing vessels and even climbing into them while they were landing their catch.
“These are working vessels with moving machinery, heavy equipment and crews trying to carry out their jobs safely,” the Marina’s post added.
“This behaviour is completely unacceptable.”
Exmouth police said that earlier this month on one evening there were more than 30 young people tombstoning in the Marina entrance.
“They were asked to move on by the harbour staff and were rude, abusive and refused to go,” the police said on their Facebook post.
“Let’s be very brutally blunt here, at some point this is going to lead to a funeral from drowning/impact/propeller encounter/underwater obstruction.
“I have seen more than my fair share of dead kids. It’s not nice. Don’t let that be your family.”
The post urged parents to “take some responsibility for your kids” given the Marina staff were there to manage their business, “not your rude offspring”.
