TEENAGERS are risking their lives by jumping off high cliffs into waters below.

On Tuesday more than 30 schoolchildren were seen ‘tombstoning’ into the water at Frenchman’s Bay, in South Shields – putting themselves at serious risk of hitting unseen objects and suffering potentially fatal injuries.

Nobody was hurt but emergency service staff attended the scene to advise to those involved to stop.

Police and fire crews urge young people to resist the temptation to jump off cliffs, piers and bridges during warm weather and the RNLI warns most beaches currently have no lifeguard cover.

Chief Inspector Nicola Wearing, of Northumbria Police, said: “Especially at a time when emergency services across the UK are already facing significant demand, this kind of behaviour is incredibly irresponsible.

“I would ask young people to consider the serious and potentially fatal consequences of their actions. It might be seen as just a bit of fun, but it could take crucial blue-light resources away from other genuine and life-threatening emergencies.

“Those individuals who do jump are, quite frankly, rolling the dice and putting their health and wellbeing at risk. They do not know if there are submerged rocks in the waters below and a bad landing could result in life-changing or even fatal injuries.

“Our message is clear – please do not put your lives at risk. Even if you think you are jumping safely, other people may be watching and may try to copy your actions.

“Our officers will continue to patrol our coastal areas over the coming days to engage with members of the public, encourage them to follow the current restrictions in place and make sure we all continue to protect those in our communities.”

Richie Rickaby, Area Manager for Community Safety at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, echoed the warning and urged teenagers not to put extra pressure on emergency service staff.

“Jumping into any body of water is dangerous and frankly reckless – you’re putting yourself, your mates and the emergency services who come to your aid all at risk of serious injury or even death,” he said.

“There could be hidden dangers below the surface of the water; as well as the risk of your body going into cold water shock – even the strongest swimmers can get into serious difficulty.

“Don’t take the risk and put extra pressure on our emergency services. Stay safe and stay out of the water.”

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) have also advised people to think twice about entering the water after warning the majority of beaches across Northumbria do not currently have lifeguard cover.

Adrian Don, of Tynemouth RNLI, said: "The majority of local beaches currently have no lifeguard cover so we would ask visitors to the coast to think twice and consider the risks involved in entering the water.

"The RNLI only recommends people swim where lifeguards are on duty, so our advice is not to go into the water if there are none present.

"This may seem like we're trying to put a dampener on people enjoying the seaside, but the sea has many hidden dangers, even in shallow and apparently calm water, and we just want to prevent potential tragedies."