Police force warns sea swimmers as two still missing

Police in Devon have warned against sea swimming after two men went missing in the water.

Devon and Cornwall Police have urged people to avoid coastal swimming after two men, aged in their 40s and 60s, went missing in the water off a beach in Devon on Christmas morning.

The search for them was called off on Thursday evening.

Police were called at 10.25am following concerns for people in the water, and an extensive search for the pair was called off in the evening.

"Today, emergency services have been responding to a truly tragic incident in Budleigh Salterton," said Detective Superintendent Hayley Costar from Devon and Cornwall Police on Thursday evening.

"There have been weather warnings in place this week and a number of official and unofficial swims have already been cancelled," she added.

"We urge anyone with plans to go swimming in the sea on Boxing Day not to."

It come as the UK Health Security Agency's (UKHSA) yellow alert for the south west of England, issued from 6pm on 25 December, will continue until midday on 27 December.

The alert warns of a "greater risk to life of vulnerable people", as well as an "increased use of healthcare services" among that group.

(c) Sky News 2025: Police force warns sea swimmers as two still missing