Police officers have begun patrolling the waters of west Cornwall following a summer of complaints about jet skis and other fast water craft.

Two officers will be out in a boat overseeing the water of Mounts Bay today, speaking with people about the safe use of such equipment.

Penzance Police said the move was in response to concerns raised by various members of the public.

The team said: "Today we have deployed two police officers to patrol the bay. The intention is to engage with any users of jet skis or fast water craft and encourage them to keep their distance from swimmers and to stay a minimum of 300m off shore."

Devon and Cornwall Police and Cornwall Council are working with other organisations to put to together a registration scheme and code of conduct for jet skis and similar craft, which should be in place for next summer.

They also want to see safe swimming zones implemented for open water swimmers.

"We want everyone to be able to enjoy our beautiful bay, whether they are on or in the water," added the Penzance team.

Falmouth Packet:

Police will be patrolling the water in Mounts Bay today. Photo: Penzance Police

Back in June Penlee Inshore Lifeboat was called to Marazion after a 999 call about jet skiers being "far too close" to swimmers and the beach.

At the time a lifeboat spokesperson said: "The volunteer crew of our Atlantic 85 Inshore lifeboat ‘Mollie and Ivor Dent’ were asked to head across Mount’s Bay to Marazion and give words of advice to two jet skiers who were travelling far too close to the shore/beach and to swimmers in the water.

"They were also towing a dinghy behind them with people onboard."

Read next: Cornwall coast boating and jet ski warning by coastguard

The spokesperson went on to say that "strong words of advice" were given.

It prompted a warning from HM Coastguard later in the same month, following a spike in the number of incidents around the Cornish coastline.

While some saw people simply breaking down, other incidents included jet skis and motor boats overturning in the water, getting too close to other vessels, collisions and conflict between users of these craft and other sea users, such as swimmers.

Richy Williams, senior coastal operations officer for the area, said at the time: “The majority of PWC [personal water crafts] and motor craft users operate their vessels responsibly but there are some who don’t respect the water, the capabilities of their vessels and other water users.

“We want people to enjoy themselves at the coast, but also to make sure they’re staying safe."