As the forecast 'heatwave' gets ready to hit this weekend, police and the RNLI are urging people to "act responsibility and respectfully" particularly when on Cornwall's beaches.

As reported yesterday, The Met Office has increased its heat health alert level to 'Heatwave Action' for the south west, including Cornwall.

The level 3 amber alert began yesterday (Thursday) and will remain in place until Tuesday night, with hot weather and warm nights expected throughout the region as warm air spreads north from France.

Read more: Heatwave alert issued for Cornwall (even though it won't be as hot as elsewhere)

While Cornwall is not expected to reach the temperatures predicted for parts of the east and southeast of England, where the thermometer is expected to hit 37 degrees Celsius, Devon and Cornwall Police has still taken the opportunity to remind both visitors and residents to respect social distancing and take their rubbish home.

The force said that during the summer months some of the area’s beauty spots and beaches can become extremely busy, adding: "Local residents and tourists are encouraged to act responsibly and respectfully when out and about this summer to help protect the county and its communities."

Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Rob Bolt said: “The recent hot weather has brought crowds of visitors and residents to our beaches and beauty spots, the majority of whom behave in a considerate and respectful way.

“We ask that people be responsible. Drive safely, park respectfully, dispose of litter appropriately, take precautions to prevent wild fires, specifically from camp fires or barbecues and be generally courteous to others, so everyone can enjoy our beautiful county."

The RNLI is also calling on beachgoers to follow water safety advice and adhere to social distancing.

The charity was forced to carry out 30 rescues at Perranporth just over the course of Sunday alone.

The incidents mainly involved bathers and body boarders caught in rip currents, going out of their depth and being cut off by the incoming tide.

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Kitty Norman, water safety delivery support at the RNLI, said: "The beaches across the whole of the South West are extremely busy at the moment with both locals who are holidaying at home this year and an influx of visitors to the region.

"The sheer volume of people making social distancing tricky is one thing to be conscious of before planning your trip to the beach.

"You might choose to visit the beach at a quieter time of day, or choose a beach with more space, where you can still bathe between the flagged area, but spread out further when setting up camp for the day.

"If you arrive at the beach and it is simply too crowded, consider moving on and spending your day elsewhere.

"Checking the tide times is advised - as the tide comes in, it reduces the available space for people to spread out and leads to beaches getting more crowded."

She also asked people to respect a two-metre distance when approaching lifeguards.

Large tides are still present this weekend, meaning the tide will flood in quickly.

This will increase the amount of water moving around and raise the risk of stronger rip currents.

Read next: Falmouth lifeboat rescues yacht unable to raise anchor with bad weather coming

Anyone caught in a rip current should not try to swim against it and should wade if they are able to stand.

They should swim parallel to the shore until free and then head for the beach.

People who cannot swim should float by leaning back in the water, extending their arms and legs and resist the urge to thrash around.

The RNLI said people caught in a rip current should always raise their hand and shout for help.

Anyone who sees a person in trouble should alert lifeguards or call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.

The region's Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said she was working with councils to fund street marshals in 20 locations around Cornwall and Devon as part of the Safer Summer Scheme.

She said: “Unfortunately the summer months result in a minority of people causing problems for the majority of residents and visitors who want to enjoy everything that this beautiful part of the world has to offer. This year we have seen anti-social behaviour and unauthorised camping at some of our most popular spots.

“The Safer Summer Scheme will help to protect Devon and Cornwall’s reputation as a wonderful place to visit, but police and partners cannot work alone.

“With over 700 miles of coastline ultimately we rely on people to do the right thing, so please be safe, be considerate and enjoy Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly this summer.”