STERN warnings have been issued after Barry Coastguard responded to reports of youths jumping into water at Barry dock and Rhoose Point old quarry.

The practice, dubbed ‘tombstoning’, involves leaping into water from a significant height.

But youths are being warned that they risk fines of up to £500, serious injury or even death.

Barry Coastguard attended the locations on Saturday, June 30 and Monday, July 2.

The team was called just after 6.20pm to the Barry incident after a concerned resident called Milford Haven Coastguard.

A Barry Coastguard spokesman said: “A large group of teenagers were jumping into the dock near Morrisons. Safety advice was given and life rings replaced. However, two are missing. The Dock is not a safe place.

"It’s cold and it has lots of hidden objects below the water. Life rings are there to save people in danger and for no other reason.”

A South Wales Police spokeswoman confirmed officers spoke to youths following reports of a group jumping into the dock near Ffordd Y Mileniwm, Barry.

The Coastguard team was also despatched to Rhoose Point Quarry with South Wales Police, two days previously.

“On arrival there were no persons in difficulty,” the spokesman said. "Advice was given to several adults and young children in relation to alcohol and water and the dangers of inflatables and the location.”

A local man was paralysed after breaking his back during a tombstoning incident at Rhoose Point a few years ago and there have been deaths at Cosmeston Lakes, a former quarry area, following similar activities.