BBC Radio Devon

Four young deer are thought to have been shot dead on the outskirts of Plymouth.

Image source, pa

Their bodies were found in the Crownhill and Estover areas said police.

Chris Avent, natural infrastructure officer, said: "It has been upsetting to find the dead deer, especially as most of them were very young. 

"We are monitoring the area very closely to ensure that nobody is accessing the land without permission to shoot."

BBC Radio Devon

Devon scallopers have been fined a record £37,770 for illegal fishing.

Image source, Visuals Unlimited/Naturepl.com

Dominic Welsh and DW Fisheries of Exmouth admitted illegal fishing between 11 and 13 December 2015 in Lyme Bay when they appeared before Plymouth magistrates.

The court heard they used 16 scallop dredges, four more than the maximum number permitted.

Matthew Mander of Devon & Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, external said after the case: "Illegal scallop fishing has the potential to rapidly reduce the opportunity of other fishers to access the stock and the increased illegal landings also reduce the price paid for the legally caught scallops taken by the rest of the fleet."

BBC Radio Cornwall

A30 eastbound between Loggans Moor roundabout and Camborne West is expected to remain closed for 3 to 4 hours following crash, say police.

BBC Travel

• A30 eastbound between the Loggans Moor Rbt & Camborne West is closed due to an accident involving a fuel tanker, traffic queueing.
• In Plymouth we've got reports Barne Road is blocked in both directions due to an incident near Kit Hill Crescent.  
• Near Goonhavern A3072 is partially blocked near Halt Road due to an accident. Traffic is slow moving.

BBC Radio Cornwall

There are more being police being trained to handle weapons in Devon and Cornwall - the figure is being increased by about a third to 162.   

Ch Supt Jim Nye, head of operations for Devon and Cornwall Police said they have to adapt to a changing world.

"I think we need to recognise post Paris that the threats the country faces is significantly different in terms of terrorism.

"It is just a recognition that Devon and Cornwall is a very big area to police and we want more armed officers available so we can get them to the scene."

What do you think? Email us.

Jonathan Morris
BBC News Online

• The number of police firearms officers in Devon and Cornwall's set to go up by almost a third.
• A mother from Cornwall, who lost her son to sepsis, is supporting the launch of a new campaign to raise awareness of the symptoms.
• Allegations surrounding care homes in Cornwall run by the Morleigh Group will be discussed at a public meeting in Plymouth today.
• Campaigners say they're disappointed that the government's funding reforms will do little to improve the amount of cash spent on Devon's pupils.  
• The mystery of how Father Christmas crosses the globe in one night to visit the homes of 700 million children has been solved by a scientist at the University of Exeter.
• One person's been cut free from a car after a crash in Newquay.

BBC Radio Devon

The mystery of how Father Christmas manages to deliver presents to all the children in the world in just one night, has been revealed, external

Image source, PA

Dr Katy Sheen from the University of Exeter says he travels at 6,000,000 mph - and working that out is merely a question of applying a bit of maths and the theory of relativity.

"Visiting around 700m children in 31 hours would mean he would have to travel at 10,000,000 kph if he is to deliver presents to every child," Dr Sheen said.

"How does Santa manage to reach these phenomenal speeds? Well that’s magic! However, he would certainly need a lot of fuel – so don’t forget his glass of sherry, a mince pie or two and some carrots for the reindeer!"

BBC Spotlight

Allegations surrounding care homes run by the Morleigh Group will be discussed at a public meeting in Plymouth today.  

Specialist lawyers at Foot Anstey are holding the meeting, to discuss the investigation into alleged mistreatment at Clinton House in St Austell - and possible compensation claims. 

The owners have apologised for the distress caused to residents and families.  

Denis Nightingale
BBC Radio Cornwall

A mother from Cornwall says it would be cruel and barbaric not to give children with cerebral palsy the chance of what she insists is 'a life changing operation' for free. 

Tracy Britton from Kelly Bray near Callington says her son Beau was lucky to have the operation paid for by the NHS before funding was halted. 

She says selective dorsal rhizotomy or SDR relieves terrible pain and allows youngsters to walk taller and better. 

The NHS says no decision will be made until 2018 at the earliest.   

Emily Wood
BBC Weather

It will start cloudy and dull with some scattered outbreaks of light rain or drizzle, but brighter weather in the west will spread eastwards with some sunny periods developing along with a few showery outbreaks of rain. Light or moderate southerly winds will be fresher to the west and around the coastline. Max Temp 12C(54F).

Image source, bbc

Exeter Express & Echo

Police at the centre of a major investigation into drugs and sex crimes in Plymouth have urged the public to remain calm, external.

A mother from Cornwall, who lost her son to sepsis, is supporting the launch of a new campaign to raise awareness of the symptoms.

One-year-old William Mead died from the condition in 2014. Since then, his mother Melissa has campaigned to inform parents and carers about the signs of what is also referred to as blood poisoning or septicemia. 

The Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt will officially launch the campaign later.   

Simon Hall, Home Affairs Correspondent
BBC Spotlight

The number of police firearms officers in Devon and Cornwall is being increased by almost a third, the BBC has learnt.

Commanders say the force will now have 162, a rise of 36. They stress it's not in response to a specific terrorist threat, but a contingency measure. 

They want to ensure, with such a large geographical area, armed response teams can be quickly available anywhere in the two counties. 

Jonathan Morris
BBC News Online

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