An RAF Chivenor helicopter was called to the scene

The group of three were seen screaming and apparently pushing someone off the cliff at Raparee Cove near Ilfracombe.

The alarm was raised at just after 1900 on Saturday after a member of the public saw the clifftop incident.

The Ilfracombe Lifeboat, a cliff rescue team, and a helicopter from Chivenor were scrambed to the scene.

The helicopter winchman was lowered into a dangerous position after what was thought to be a body was seen about a third of the way down the cliff.

However, it turned out to be a life-sized dummy.

A police spokesman said: "These hoaxers were highly irresponsible and put the lives of the helicopter crew in danger.

"We are appealing for witnesses to find out who they are."

The operation is said to have cost more than �5,000.