A popular Northumberland harbour could be closed to the public over the dangerous antics of people who leap from its walls in front of passing boats.
So-called 'tombstoning' and diving at Beadnell Harbour is putting lives at risk, according to harbour master Anthony McAdam. And if it doesn't stop the Beadnell Harbour Fisherman's Society might be forced to fence off the picturesque piers.
The society, which owns the harbour, has recently installed new signs warning of the dangers of jumping from the walls, but local fishermen say they're being ignored.
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Anthony said: "We are having serious trouble with people jumping off the harbour walls at high water and treating it like a playground. Our insurers are up in arms about it because it's so dangeorus.
"We've put signs up and we've been trying to stop these kids treating it like a playground but we get nothing but abuse from them. There was a bloke there recently with his son preparing to jump off, my colleague pointed out the signs to him and he turned around and told him to f*** off.
"Beadnell Harbour is known as one of the most beautiful harbours in the UK and it may come to the point where we have to fence it off completely. The impact of that would be enormous, given the amount of people who enjoy the harbour daily."
Whilst many who visit the harbour enjoy safely sitting and walking along the walls, Anthony said it has become known among some people as a spot for 'tombstoning' (jumping into the water from a standing position), diving and even playing a potentially deadly game of chicken by jumping in front of passing boats.
He added: "There are kids from seven years old doing this, they could be taken by the current and washed out to sea. It's only a matter of time before somebody is killed, enough is enough.
"Kids are even daring each other to jump off in front of moving boats. Boats aren't like cars, they don't have breaks, these kids could get sucked under the boats and shredded by the propellors. We've had so many near misses."
It's not just lives that are at risk, but livelihoods too. The risk of accidents at the harbour drives up insurance costs - and if a serious or fatal accident were to occur it could put those who fish there out of business.
Antony added: "If we can't stop this the fisherman will lose their livelihoods because they won't be able to get insurance to use the habour because of the mallice and stupidity of others."
Warning that new camera systems mean that those who do break harbour rules can be easily identified, he urged visitors to stop misusing the popular site for the sake of everyone who enjoys it.
He added: "It's totally unacceptable. It's a very beautiful place and it's just spoilt by what some people are using it for."
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