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Trespassing teenagers are risking their lives by leaping into the sea from the roof of a harbourside building, a charity has warned.

The thrill-seeking youngsters have been 'tombstoning' from the top of a charity-owned holiday home used to host trips for families of disabled or ill children in Tenby, Pembrokeshire.

The Harriet Davis Seaside Holiday Trust has urged police, parents and the council to act before someone dies in the harbour, adding there had been a 'serious failure' in dealing with this by police.

Senior Administrator Carol Lincoln said: '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.'

She added: 'The situation has now escalated significantly. 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.

'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.'

Families of unwell children had reported youths clambering on the property to the police, only to be let down and told that no officers would be attending, Ms Lincoln said.

Two teenagers stand on the roof of The Harriet Davis Seaside Holiday Trust's holiday home in Tenby, looking to do a 'tombstone' jump into the harbour waters below

Senior Administrator Carol Lincoln said 'The activity presents an extremely serious danger to life' and added that 'the situation has now escalated significantly' with scores of youths on the roofs every high tide

Tenby Harbour in Pembrokeshire, south Wales, is subject to major changes of water depth during high and low tides, making the jump even more dangerous

The charity has spent thousands on repairs and has now tried to take matters into its own hands to stop the teenagers from terrorising the vulnerable families by climbing onto the roof via the outdoor bins.

When police finally did arrive, they suggested moving the bins.

'We removed the bins for a week as a trial to see whether this would prevent access. It did not,' she said.

'Instead, the youths simply stole fuel bins from the harbour and used those!

'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, but the problem is now worse than ever, Ms Lincoln said, and is 'escalating'.

Instead of deterring the gangs of youths with their efforts, the trespassers have taken to vandalising the defences set up by the charity.

'The young people are deliberately smearing the anti-climb paint over our external walls and are progressively ripping the plastic spikes from the roof,' she said. 'This is causing serious and continuing damage to the fabric of the building.'

The charity rep wanted to remind these teens that most of those visiting the house are not tourists, but locals - '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.'

The problem has only grown worse as time goes on, with 'ever larger groups' getting up onto the roof as Ms Lincoln appealed for the trespassers to think of the families they are disturbing.

She labelled the problem as 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.'

County Councillor Michael Williams wrote to police to back the charity, saying: '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 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.'

Two youngsters sit on a jagged rock below a boy as he jumps into the water at Dead Man's Cove - another popular tombstoning spot in Plymouth, which has claimed lives

Jack Dolan, 15,was left brain damaged after tombstoning off a seaside pier in Margate in 2024

Jack before his injury... he made a remarkable recovery but is still suffering from his injuries

Tombstoning has claimed many lives and caused many serious injuries in the UK in recent years.

One popular spot in Plymouth is a 65ft sea wall above jagged rocks eerily named Dead Man's Cove. This was where father of three Vincent Wagstaff, 39, died in 2016 after misjudging his jump.

Six years earlier in 2010, teenager Ben Thompson was left paralysed when he leapt off the wall.

This week, Plymouth locals have also called on authorities to stop people tombstoning here. The coast here, like in Tenby, is subject to substantial changes in water depth depending on tides, making jumps even more dangerous.

Another tragic case was teenager Jack Dolan, 15, who was left with brain damage after he jumped off a seaside pier in Margate in 2024.

He made a remarkable recovery, but Mr Dolan's family claimed that Medway Council and Medway Community Healthcare in Kent left him in 'bed to rot' and that there was 'nowhere near enough help' for him or others in his situation.

The Daily Mail has contacted Dyfed Powys Police for a comment.