Plymouth Herald

A cleaner has been acquitted of sexually assaulting a work colleague., external

BBC News England

Communities across Devon and Cornwall are being urged to remain alert and vigilant following the terrorist attack in Westminster on Wednesday.

Assistant Chief Constable Russ Middleton said: “The impact of yesterday’s events will be felt for some time and our condolences go to the families of the police officer and members of the public who have died and been seriously injured as a result of the attack.

“Devon and Cornwall Police officers and staff are always aware of the dangers of such attacks, they remain thankfully rare.

“Local people may see some increased patrols locally and might also see a more overt armed presence from officers. I’d ask the public not to be fearful of this, but to feel more secure that steps are being taken to ensure their safety.

“Devon and Cornwall Police stand with the Metropolitan Police and other forces in not letting attacks like this stop people going about their daily business. Vigilance and being alert to potential intelligence is critical, but rest assured everything possible is being done to ensure public safety at this difficult time.”

BBC News Travel

• In Kennford we have reports of an accident on the A38 Haldon Hill Plymouth-bound near the racecourse junction
• In Plymouth, William Prance Road is closes for roadworks. There's no right turn into Charlton Road. Expect delays on Tavistock Road and Outland Road 
• In Plympton there are delays on Sandy Road and Ridgeway near the A38 at Deep Lane due to the temporary traffic lights and roadworks
• Near Penryn there's slow traffic on the A39 approaching the Treluswell Roundabouts due to the road improvements  
• In Lostwithiel on Queen Street around Fore Street and Bodmin Hill there's slow traffic due to roadworks and temporary traffic lights
• In Newquay the A392 Trevemper Road is closed in both directions for resurfacing between the A3075 and Treloggan Road. (Between 9:30 and 16:30 until 24 March)

BBC Radio Cornwall

Three men and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of growing and possessing large quantities of cannabis, with intent to supply.

The arrests were made at an address in Fraddon near Newquay yesterday.

Image source, Newquay Police

Insp Dave Meredith from Devon and Cornwall Police said: "I am delighted with the result of this drugs warrant which demonstrates the ongoing commitment by Newquay police to combat the supply of controlled drugs." 

Those arrested have been bailed to appear at Newquay Custody Centre in May.

James Law
BBC Sport Online

A "medal at any cost" approach created a "culture of fear" at British Cycling, says former rider Wendy Houvenaghel, who lives in Cornwall.

The Olympic silver medallist accused the organisation of "ageism" and having "zero regard" for her welfare.

Image source, Getty Images

Houvenaghel told the BBC she felt "vindicated" by a leaked draft report detailing British Cycling's failures.

British Cycling subsequently admitted it  did not pay "sufficient care and attention"  to the wellbeing of staff and athletes at the expense of winning medals, an approach Houvenaghel attested to in her BBC interview.

BBC Radio Devon

A Devon-based terrorism expert says the swift work of the security services prevented more deaths in London yesterday.

Those that died are PC Keith Palmer, Aysha Frade who worked at a London college, a man in his 50s and the attacker.

Seven of the injured are still in hospital in a critical condition . A further 29 had been treated in hospital.

Image source, PA

Professor Bill Tupman is a security and terrorism expert at the University of Exeter. He told BBC Radio Devon: "It's a great shame for the families of the people who were killed, particularly the police officer's family. 

"But in fact the response worked well. The police acted well, the police prevented him doing more damage that he intended to do."

BBC News Travel

• In Newquay the A392 Trevemper Road is closed in both directions due to resurfacing work between the A3075 and Treloggan Road

James Law
BBC Sport Online

England and Exeter wing Jack Nowell says his club side are aiming to go into the Premiership play-offs having finished top of the table.

Nowell, 23, returns to the Chiefs squad this weekend against Sale after helping England  retain the Six Nations title.

Image source, Getty Images

Asked how high Exeter could finish, he told BBC Radio Devon: "I think top two - we obviously want to try and push for the top one. It'll only be our fault if we do let it slip now, because it isn't as if we have to chase anyone - we're up there."

BBC Radio Devon

Image source, Southern Detectorists Club

A rare ingot of Roman lead that was unearthed on a farm has sold for £25,000 .

The inscribed lead bar is the only one known of its type to be found the UK, auctioneers have said.

Found by Plymouth bricklayer Jason Baker, 31, it failed to fetch its guide price of £60,000 in November.

But, Hanson's Auction House in Derby confirmed it had sold the 2ft (60cm) ingot, which dates from AD 164 and was uncovered near Wells.

Image source, Southern Detectorists Club

Plymouth Herald

Police say they have spoken to a man who did a runner from a crash, external near Marjon University.

Twitter

The Westminster attacker was British-born and known to the police and intelligence services , the prime minister has revealed.

In a statement to the Commons, Theresa May said he had been investigated some years ago over violent extremism but had been a "peripheral figure".

"He was not part of the current intelligence picture," she said.

Eight arrests in London and Birmingham  followed Wednesday's attack that left four dead - including the attacker.

Those killed by the attacker were PC Keith Palmer, Aysha Frade, who worked at a London college, and a man in his 50s.

BBC Radio Devon

Conservationists will monitor a humpback whale for the next 24 hours after it was freed from fishing gear off South Devon. 

The whale became entangled in fishing equipment at around 12:00 GMT on Wednesday off the coast at Blackpool Sands.

It was freed by volunteers from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR).

The whale  was originally spotted three weeks ago in Start bay  and has been attracting visitors from across the UK.

Image source, Alan Letcher/Beautiful Cornwall and Devon

Police are appealing for witnesses following a two car crash on the A30.

Police said at about 15:40 on Sunday, there was a collision between a green BMW and a silver Seat Ibiza, on the A30 westbound carriageway just past the slip road to Tolvaddon.

One vehicle ended up in the hard shoulder, the other in the central reservation. The road was closed, but no-one was injured.

Police are appealing for witnesses.

BBC Spotlight

The flag at Devon and Cornwall Police headquarters is flying at half-mast today following the killing of a policeman and three other people in a terror attack in London.  

Image source, Devon and Cornwall Police

Extra police patrols are being introduced in Devon and Cornwall following the attack.

Police stress it's a precaution, designed to reassure the public, and that there is no specific threat.

BBC News England

Communities across Devon and Cornwall are being urged to remain alert and vigilant following the terrorist attack in Westminster on Wednesday.

Devon and Cornwall Police said: "There is no specific intelligence to suggest any additional threat local to Devon and Cornwall or any risk to our communities locally. However the threat level for the country remains severe."

Assistant Chief Constable Russ Middleton said: “The events in London are a timely reminder of the need to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity you may see.

“Although we have no information to suggest any specific risk to Devon, Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly, I would ask the public to keep alert and not alarmed, and to support us in keeping our region safe.

“If anyone sees anything suspicious relating to terrorism, they can report this to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789321.”

BBC Radio Devon

Health bosses are holding public meetings in Holsworthy this afternoon over the temporary closure of community hospital beds. 

The Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust said the beds would remain closed until a solution to the staffing problem could be found.

Local campaigners are worried it will become permanent. 

Image source, Google

James Law
BBC Sport Online

Truro City Chairman Peter Masters says he "has no option" but to back manager Lee Hodges as the club battles to avoid relegation from National League South.

The Cornish side have lost 13 of their past 17 games and are just two points above the relegation zone.

Image source, Vaughan Pickhaver/Truro City FC

"I've got to back him, there's nothing else I can do," Masters told  BBC Radio Cornwall.  "If I sack him I'll end up bringing another manager in, who's going to take time to get himself sorted."  

Devon Live

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn cancelled two visits to South Devon, external today following yesterday's Westminster terrorist incident.

BBC Radio Cornwall

People in Penzance have been paying tribute to the students injured in yesterday's terror attack in London , who come from a town it's twinned with.

Students from the St Josef's school in Concarneau are among those injured in an attack in Westminster in which four people died.

At least two of the French pupils are said to be in a critical condition. 

The Cornish Pirates rugby team have tweeted that their thoughts are with the town.

West Cornwall MP, Derek Thomas, said: "“The fact that students from Penzance’s twin town have apparently been seriously injured today is a sobering wake-up call for all of us and I can only hope that and pray that all those affected in this atrocity make speedy recoveries." 

BBC News Travel

• At Tresillian Bridge heading towards Truro we've got reports the road is blocked due to an accident.