Police have issued an urgent warning against Boxing Day sea swimming after two men went missing off the Devon coast on Christmas Day, while a yellow cold health alert remains in force for south-west England until noon on December 27.
Detective Superintendent Hayley Costar of Devon and Cornwall Police urged anyone planning to swim in the sea on Boxing Day not to. "There have been weather warnings in place this week and a number of official and unofficial swims have already been cancelled," she said. "While there are no official warnings in place for tomorrow, we urge anyone with plans to go swimming in the sea on Boxing Day not to."
Emergency services responded to calls in Budleigh Salterton at 10.25am on Christmas Day following reports of people in the water. Two men, one in his 60s and another in his 40s, went missing after getting into difficulty off the coast.
The incidents come as cold conditions continue to grip the region.
Cold Health Alert
The UK Health Security Agency's yellow alert warns of minor impacts on health and social care services due to continued cold temperatures. The agency cited "increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people" and "greater risk to life of vulnerable people" as key concerns.
Forecasters predict frost overnight into Boxing Day, with temperatures remaining chilly throughout the day.
Boxing Day Forecast
Met Office meteorologist Zoe Hutin said Boxing Day would bring "some good spells of sunshine" with cloud in the South and North West and possible light rain. "For the vast majority it's going to be dry," she added.
"While it will still be breezy, it won't be as windy as Christmas Day," Hutin said.
Top temperatures will reach between 6-7C, though in the south it will feel closer to 4-5C.
She ruled out snow, saying: "A low chance of snow, it's not expected at all."
The weekend will see similar conditions with increasingly cloudy skies and possible drizzle. Temperatures will remain around average at 6-7C.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
