Cllr Peter Vickery-Jones admits the city council are powerless to stop youngsters "tombstoning" off Herne Bay Pier. Picture: Chris Davey.

by Adam Williams

Teenagers in Herne Bay have been risking life and limb as the craze of Tombstoning takes hold.

With school holidays drawing to a close and “the barbeque summer” weather making a fleeting appearance, improvised, thrill-seeking entertainment off the town’s pier has taken over.

Tombstoning is defined in the dictionary as the practice of jumping into the sea or a similar body of water from a cliff or high point. Jumpers enter the water vertically straight, in the shape of a tombstone. This week has seen large groups of youngsters jumping from the pier into the sea, leaving some residents concerned about the message being sent out.

But, despite the risks to public safety and the potential life-changing consequences, authorities have this week admitted being powerless to stop it. Insp Gordon Etheridge from Kent Police stressed safety messages are being enforced.

He said: “Our neighbourhood officers and community support officers have spoken to people both in Whitstable and Herne Bay to alert them to the very real dangers of continuing to jump into the sea, with no full understanding of what may be under the surface.”

But, Tombstoning is not a criminal offence and officers are also unable to issue people with a summons. Insp Etheridge hopes common sense prevails and individual responsibility takes over.

He added: “Warning signs have been put up and I am aware the foreshore patrol has been active in trying to stop this very stupid activity.

“People must take responsibility and know that they are possibly risking their lives.”

Earlier this month, Kent Police successfully applied for a designated dispersal order, following similar problems at Folkestone Harbour. Trawler men and the harbour authority complained about youths jumping off the harbour wall into the sea causing interference. No plans are currently in place for a similar order off Herne Bay Pier.

City councillor Peter Vickery-Jones stressed measures have already been taken to guard against the summertime craze.

He said: “Lots of money has been spent on installing warning signs and improving safety measures, but we need to stop living in the nanny state and let parents take responsibility for their children’s actions.

“I’m not condemning what they’re doing, but I’m not condoning it either.
“As a council, we have identified what we need to do to curb this from happening and regular checks of safety measures do take place, as well as patrols by both the RNLI and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.”

See this week's Herne Bay Gazette for more reaction.