There are reports people got into difficulty in the sea at Budleigh Salterton this morning.
HM Coastguard said it was alerted at around 10am. Exmouth and Beer Coastguard Rescue Teams, RNLI lifeboats from Exmouth and Torbay and coastguard search and rescue helicopters have been sent to the scene to assist, alongside police and ambulance service.
Hundreds of people were seen gathering at Exmouth and Budleigh beaches this morning for unofficial Christmas Day swims.
Devon and Cornwall Police has urged people to stay out of the sea due to ‘an incident in the water’.
The force said: “Please do not enter the water and avoid the area.
“We are also urgently asking the public not enter the water at Exmouth for the Christmas day swim while emergency services are committed with this incident.
“We will give further updates in due course.”
A weather warning is in place in Devon today for wind and it is warned east to northeasterly winds will become particularly strong and gusty.
The warning states it’s likely that some coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities will be affected by spray and/or large waves.