Police appeal after tower damage

Police in Kirkwall say that they have been made aware that teenagers were seen jumping into Stromness Harbour from the tower at the Orkney College Maritime Studies Department earlier this week.

Following an inspection of the facility, also known locally as the Nav School, it appears that equipment on the tower was damaged during the incident on Tuesday evening.

Police say that they would like to speak to any of the people involved in climbing the tower or from anyone who may have witnessed the incident.

Police are also keen to highlight the dangers of jumping into the water from height, known as pier jumping, or “tombstoning’, especially in this case, as the water near the tower is shallow and there is ‘junk’ metal hidden beneath the water.

Police went on to say: “The tower itself is not safe to climb as there are a number of cables and pieces of equipment attached to it.”

“Tombstoning is considered to be life-threatening and dangerous behaviour as it can be very hard to judge the depth of water due to swell and sea conditions. Serious injuries, or worse, can result from hitting an underwater obstruction.”

Anyone with information regarding this incident is requested to contact Kirkwall Police Station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.