A charitable trust that owns a building in the heart of Tenby harbour that provides accessible holiday accommodation for families with disabled children and young people with life-limiting illnesses, has criticised thrill-seekers that have glamourised the act of ‘tombstoning’ by spreading it on social media.
The Harriet Davis Seaside Holiday Trust this summer has further called for Dyfed-Powys Police and the Local Authorities to act on the situation, after youths continued to access its building to give them a vantage point to dive and jump into the water from a great height - stating that a ‘fatality’ will occur should this act of tombstoning not be clamped down on.
The Trust which caters for children and adults with disabilities and mobility needs, has further criticised those that have ‘spectacularised’ this high-risk, unregulated activity.
“We are extremely concerned that these events are now being filmed by drone by a local photographer and shared on social media,” stated the charity’s Senior Administrator, Carol Lincoln.
“The activity is effectively being spectacularised, without adequately highlighting the dangers involved.
“We are extremely concerned that this is contributing to the rapid increase in numbers participating.
“What was once an occasional problem has now developed into a significant and increasingly popular activity, with ever larger groups accessing our roof.
“As police have already pointed out, the greater the number of people jumping or even simply accessing our roof, the greater the possibility of a fatality. This risk is now very real,” she continued, stating that it was with a ‘very heavy heart’ that she has had to report a ‘serious failure’ by the Police, both at senior level and in the response from PCSO officers, to address the continuing tombstoning, criminal damage and dangerous access to the roof.
Police were once again called to the harbour again over August, when dozens of people accessed the roof to jump in the sea.
With many seeing it as just harmless fun, one such person is a man who goes by the mantle of ‘adventuross_’ on Instagram (Ross Williams) who posted on social media, alongside a video of him and others jumping from the building: “Got to keep the Tenby tradition going! Who thinks the UK should bring back 10m public diving platforms? They're all over Europe so why not the UK?
“It would stop wasting police time and people can cool down in a fun way. Also could open up opportunities for people that enjoy sending flips!”
Carol from the Trust says that the situation has now escalated significantly this summer.
“This last month, as many as 24 young people on every high tide have been on our roof, jumping from the adjacent property into the sea and, in the process, causing continued and deliberate damage to the fabric of the building,” she continued.
“We are now also experiencing youths hammering on our doors and windows as they climb onto and descend from the roof.
“This is understandably terrifying for the vulnerable families staying inside the property.”
One day this month, the Trust said that a family staying at the property reported an incident by telephone, only to be told that nobody would be attending.
However, when PCSO officers attended the following day, the family were apparently simply told to remove the bins that the kids were climbing on to access the roof.
“I find this response extremely disappointing, particularly following the very positive meeting we had last month with PC Stephen Morris from the Dyfed-Powys Crime Prevention Design Out Team, PS Samantha Dawson and her colleagues at Tenby Police Station,” continued Carol.
“That meeting gave us considerable hope that the seriousness of the situation was finally being recognised and that a coordinated approach would be taken.
“We removed the bins for a week as a trial to see whether this would prevent access. It did not.
“Instead, the youths simply stole fuel bins from the harbour and used those instead!
Carol said that The Trust has done everything it has been asked to do by the Local Authorities, but they are not keeping their word on acting on reports.
“For more than four years, we have repeatedly reported this problem and have had countless communications and meetings with the Police, and other relevant organisations,” she continued.
“We have followed the advice given to us and have taken every reasonable step within our means to prevent access to the roof.
“This has included installing anti-climb paint and rows of plastic anti-climb spikes across the whole roof and three access points. We have also spent thousands of pounds repairing damage to the roof.
“Despite this, the problem has continued and is now escalating.
“The young people are deliberately smearing the anti-climb paint over our external walls and are progressively ripping the plastic spikes from the roof. This is causing serious and continuing damage to the fabric of the building.
“Our meetings earlier this year gave us genuine hope that a coordinated and preventative approach would finally be put in place.
“PS Dawson advised that tide times would be monitored and, wherever possible, Police and PCSO attendance would be made available at the relevant times.
“This is particularly important because the activity presents an extremely serious danger to life — both to the young people jumping from the roof and to fishing and other boats which may unfortunately be in the water below them.
“Sadly, this has not happened consistently.
“The jumping generally takes place at predictable high tides. However, recently there has been no Police presence when the young people have arrived. Officers have sometimes attended only after the tide has fallen, or not attended at all.”
Pembrokeshire Council have sought ways to try and prevent youths from accessing the harbour pier during high tides, after a series of safety concerns were raised by boat operators, over youths jumping off the end, and at times deliberately in the line of vessels.
One boat operator reported that on one occasion, five teenagers jumped from the pier directly in front of his vessel, with one shouting ‘bomb the boat!’
Anti-social behaviour concerns were also raised, with teenagers congregating down the pier, drinking and then diving in the sea, along with ‘boy racers’ parking up on the end of the pier.
A planning application put forward by Pembrokeshire County Council to install a permanent metal swing gates on Tenby Harbour pier were refused by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority in May 2025.
The refusal came after objections highlighted that the overly industrial design would visually harm the Grade II listed pier and the Tenby Conservation Area.
Instead, Pembrokeshire Council resorted back to the temporary gate this past two summers to try and alleviate the situation, but all it has seemingly done, is push those wishing to jump in the sea to other parts of the harbour, even at times, from the old lifeboat station.
The Trust says that it has continued to report all incidents as requested; as well as taking further action themselves.
A solution is currently being designed involving a one-metre-high fence around the internal perimeter of the roof. The intention is to make it significantly more difficult for anyone to gain access.
The Trust has commissioned a quotation and design, which will be submitted to Building Conservation Officer at the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA), for consideration.
At the meeting to discuss the ongoing issues, The Trust states that it was also agreed that Pembrokeshire County Council’s Community Safety Team would be made aware of the increasing seriousness and deepening nature of this crisis; and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park would be contacted by the Police regarding the proposed preventative measures.
However, as of last week, according to the Trust, Mr Scourfield PCNPA had not received any contact from the Police regarding this matter.
The Trust states that it has also heard nothing from the PCC’s Community Safety Team.
“Our visitors are not tourists coming to the town for entertainment. Most of our visiting families come from Wales, and some are local families,” explained Carol.
“They are parents and carers looking after children and young people who may have profound disabilities, complex medical needs or life-limiting conditions. Many families are only able to have a holiday because our properties provide the specialist equipment and facilities they require.
“For many of them, this is an extremely precious opportunity to spend time together and create positive family memories in circumstances where ordinary holidays are simply not possible.
“Instead, they are increasingly finding themselves frightened and distressed by young people climbing onto the roof, banging on doors and windows and shouting as they gain access to and descend from the building.
“This is completely unacceptable.
“What was once an occasional problem has now developed into a significant and increasingly popular activity, with ever larger groups accessing our roof.
“As PS Dawson has already pointed out, the greater the number of people jumping or even simply accessing our roof, the greater the possibility of a fatality.
“This risk is now very real.
“PC Stephen Morris has already indicated that he believes considerably more can be done by the appropriate authorities. He has also made clear that the current harbour gate is not an effective deterrent.
“We therefore feel that this situation has moved far beyond an issue of occasional antisocial behaviour.
“It is now a serious and escalating public safety issue involving criminal damage, deliberate trespass, risk to life and the welfare of vulnerable families staying within our properties.”
The Trust is now asking the Police, Pembrokeshire County Council, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and the other relevant stakeholders to work with them to take meaningful preventative action.
“We cannot wait until somebody is seriously injured or killed before this is treated with the urgency it deserves,” remarked Carol.
“Finally, I would ask that the consequences for our families are considered alongside the risks to those participating in the tombstoning.
“Our families have done nothing wrong. Their only wish is to have a peaceful and cherished holiday with their profoundly vulnerable loved ones.
“They should not have to be frightened, distressed or intimidated inside their holiday accommodation because a dangerous and increasingly popular activity is taking place on the roof above them,” she added.
County Councillor for Tenby’s North ward, Cllr Michael Williams concurred that the situation was now becoming out of hand, and causing huge distress to families who often have severely disabled and vulnerable children staying in the property.
“I find it disappointing that despite numerous meetings no progress has been made in addressing the matter,” stated Cllr Williams in correspondence sent to both Dyfed-Powys Police and Pembrokeshire County Council.
“There is a genuine fear that there could be a fatality if this activity is allowed to continue.
“In my opinion at the very least criminal damage is being caused by these youths and they are they are trespassing with intent, and I would ask that you consider taking action on these specific activities.
“This amazing charitable organisation provides a unique opportunity for families who often have to contend with some of the most distressing circumstances conceivable and they deserve the support of everyone concerned.
“The Trust and their guests are being let down by the inability or unwillingness of organisations they should be able to rely on to effectively address these activities,” he added.
In a response issued to the Harriet Davis Trust over their ongoing concerns, Superintendent Louise Harries of Dyfed-Powys Police stated: “Firstly, I am sorry that there is a feeling that Police have not responded to the issues, and I recognise the impact this activity has and continues to have on residents and visitors.
“There have been issues with ‘tombstoning’ over the years, and we know this is seasonal. This year the decision was made to try and get ahead of the issues before they arose and as such the Neighbourhood Sgt PS Dawson has been proactive in seeking to prevent this reoccurring in 2026.
“This is all documented and I am keen to stress that a lot of time has gone into this from the team, who are equally disappointed that the perception is a lack of police response and the impact this is having.
“It is evident that social media has also resulted in footage being shared, which has attracted others to the area.
“Unfortunately, despite these efforts’ issues have persisted and we share the concerns you have regarding this.
Superintendent Louise Harries said that several site visits have been conducted by Ps Dawson or the Tenby NPPT Team with partners and trustees of Harriet House; and after some dialogue due to the building being a listed building permission was finally granted to install anti-climb spikes on the roof and access points.
“Unfortunately, these spikes have been ripped off and damaged on two occasions with a crime recorded as a crime. This crime had suspects which have not been identified, this has been reopened to seek to identify the suspect from images. There is now discussion regarding additional measures on the roof,” she explained.
“Whilst there have been several calls to police over the period, they are not at the volume I would have expected from some of the emails and discussions re the issue, so I would reinforce the need to report issues to police at the time.
“All calls have seen attendance and persons spoken to and moved on. This has included use of dispersal powers. Crimes have been recorded where offences have been identified but to date, we have not made any arrests for the criminal damage.”
Superintendent Harries said that ‘Operation Lion’ was commenced earlier this year in May rather than July, with additional staff being deployed to Tenby over the period, with the harbour location part of that wider patrol plan.
“We cannot dedicate resourcing to this specific area due to competing demands and other calls which may require attention,” she continued.
“We have increased patrols in line with tide times and parked a marked vehicle in the location as a deterrent. The breakwater education programme has also previously been used in conjunction with partners.
“Work to tackle this issue has involved partners also and this continues.
“I am again sorry that there is a sentiment that Police have not reacted, we have sought to be proactive in a prevention approach and respond when calls are received, unfortunately this is not a straightforward issue to deal with due to the legislative void.
“We remain committed to finding a resolution,” she added.
To highlight concerns in the community, at the height of last summer, Tenby RNLI lifeboat volunteers conducted a multi-agency mock exercise, surrounding ‘tombstoning’ incidents around the seaside town’s harbour.
Authorities stated that several injuries and ‘broken bones’ had been sustained during the school holidays, due to youngsters taking risks by jumping off heights around the harbour area into water below.
Such incidents forced Pembrokeshire County Council to issue more warnings over the dangers of jumping off the pier at Tenby harbour and other parts, following an increased impact on services.
HM Coastguard and the RNLI also highlighted once again the serious risk of injury that jumping from height into the sea can cause, especially near working boats - which is extremely dangerous and can have serious consequences.
The exercise by the RNLI along with the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust, was a follow up to another they conducted previously, centered around a simulated tombstoning incident, where a twenty-year-old jumped 30ft off the rocks and was subsequently found face down in the water.
Tenby RNLI shared: “We once again decided to base it around a tombstoning incident due to the huge issues that Tenby has seen with large groups of youngsters jumping from high places into the sea.
“The exercise began with a report that a person was witnessed to jump from a building and enter the water upside down, injuring his neck, leading to loss of feeling in his lower limbs.”
Both lifeboats were launched, with Paramedics and EMTs aboard the all-weather lifeboat.
“The inshore lifeboat was first on scene and two crew members entered the water to support the casualty, who was now being taken along the coastline with the current.
“With the all-weather lifeboat now on scene with extra crew members to assist, the casualty was immobilised and placed in the basket stretcher before being moved close to and then hoisted out of the water onto the larger lifeboat, where he was handed over into the care of the ambulance medics.
“Once alongside in the harbour, the stretcher was carried onto the pier, where the ambulance crew practiced moving the casualty safely from our stretcher to theirs before a ficticious trip to hospital.
“Multi agency exercises like this are invaluable in allowing us to practice our skills and learn what each service is capable of in as close to a real life incident as we can get and although we hope never to have to deal with an incident like this, we know that we have the necessary training and equipment to do the job,” they added.
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