Police patrol to halt bridge 'tombstoners'

LONG TRADITION OF JUMPING TAKES UGLY TURN AS 'HOSTILE' YOUTHS FUELLED BY DRINK AND DRUGS BLOCK ROAD AND THREATEN PASSERS-BY

- By ANDREW FORGRAVE

A TOURIST hotspot in Eryri (Snowdonia) is seeing a tombstoning revival linked to an influx of "unpleasant" visitors.

Jumping from an historic bridge in Betws-y-Coed is a cherished (if not necessarily very sensible) local tradition but in recent years the practice has been discouraged.

North Wales Police officers have begun patrolling the area around Pont-y-Pair bridge, a narrow road crossing over the Afon Llugwy built more than 500 years ago.

It follows complaints that groups of young yobs have been "causing havoc" on the bridge and acting in a "hostile" manner while jumping 20ft into the water below.

Due to the health and safety risks, at one point the area was covered by a Police Public Space Protection Order.

A CCTV camera was installed and jumpers threatened with fines up to £100.

But the camera is no longer active and the local bylaw has expired.