Dorset's police and crime commissioner (PCC) said he welcomed proposals for a "closer working relationship" between the Dorset and Devon and Cornwall forces.

Martyn Underhill said: "I have made no secret about my concerns regarding police funding and the difficulties faced by forces during a time of ever-complex and increasing demand.

"However, that does not mean that we should stop working tirelessly to make the best use of taxpayers’ money.

"It is clear that there is a great deal more work required to understand the potential opportunities and challenges that this proposal might bring.

"Equally, we will need to seek the views of our communities and ensure that feedback is listened to and understood."

The PCC for Devon and Cornwall says she supports the "exploration" of a merger between the two forces.

BBC Radio Devon

In Kingsbridge, Alvington Hill is partially blocked at Ashleigh Road after a two-vehicle crash near Kingsbridge Community College.

The government has said it would look at any proposals for any merger put forward by Dorset Police and Devon and Cornwall Police, if there was a "robust business case".

Tamsin Melville
Political Reporter, BBC Radio Cornwall

Twelve firefighters who helped tackle the Grenfell Tower blaze are taking a break with some of their Cornwall colleagues this week.

It's part of a team building exercise, with the firefighters visiting Penzance Community Fire Station, taking a trip on the Penlee lifeboat and attempting to surf.

Scores of people died after a huge fire engulfed Grenfell Tower, a west London residential tower block, in the early hours of Wednesday, 14 June.

Image source, .

Patrick Canavan, Labour's losing candidate in the last police and crime commissioner elections, has given his reaction to the announcement that Dorset Police and Devon and Cornwall Police were in talks over a possible merger, saying such a move was "inevitable".

"They have had a close arrangement for some time - it's a natural extension of where they were heading.

"Anyone who thinks this isn't about cuts is mistaken. This is about reducing police officers on the beat and I think they should be honest about that. Where is the political accountability?," he said.

Image source, Patrick Canavan

Mr Canavan was a candidate in the Dorset PCC election.

BBC Spotlight

The police and crime commissioner for Devon and Cornwall says she supports the "exploration" of a merger between Devon and Cornwall and Dorset Police.

Alison Hernandez says the merger would be an opportunity would give the far South West a national voice which could be "invaluable".

Ms Hernandez said there are many hurdles to overcome before the merger could go ahead, but believes it makes sense, given the current strategic alliance the forces have in place.

"Why have two chief constables why have two police and crime commissioners and why have two command teams?", she said.

"The leadership needs to be slicker for that, but it makes total sense."

Three police officers were injured as they tried to arrest a man acting in a threatening manner in a Cornwall shop.

One is being treated in hospital after suffering a fractured ankle when it is understood that he was stamped on, Devon and Cornwall Police said. He was joined by the other officers after calling for back-up at the shop in Delabole high street, on Tuesday.

A Delabole man, 45, was detained on suspicion of assault and resisting arrest, at about 18:00 BST.

Image source, Google

On the A3047 at Mount Ambrose there are temporary traffic lights due to roadworks. Traffic in the area is heavy

James Law
BBC Sport Online

Championship side Cornish Pirates have signed Northampton Saints hooker James Fish on a dual-registration deal.

The 21-year-old made his Premiership debut in November and has also featured for Saints in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

Image source, Getty Images

"The mutual benefit will definitely be handy for all of us going forward," said Pirates coach Alan Paver.

BBC Radio Cornwall

Nurses from Cornwall are heading to Westminster to lobby the Government to scrap the one per cent cap on public sector pay.

Two thousand nurses are expected to demonstrate in Parliament Square as part of the Royal College of Nursing's campaign.

The union claims the pay cap devalues nurses, means people are not joining the profession and is leading to a shortage of nurses which is affecting patient care.

The Department for Health says there are almost 12,000 more nurses since May 2010.

BBC Radio Devon

A Royal Navy ship linked with the south west, is on standby to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

The Mounts Bay, which has a Lynx helicopter on board, has been involved in anti-drugs smuggling operations near the Caribbean.

The most powerful storm in a decade is heading towards the Caribbean and Florida and expected to cause devastation.

BBC Spotlight

The chief constables of Devon and Cornwall and Dorset Police say a merger between the two forces is "one avenue" they are exploring amid "significant funding challenges".

The two forces announced today they were looking at plans for a full merger, following on from a strategic alliance program that has been in place for four years.

But the chief constables stressed the announcement "does not preclude any outcome".

A total of 20 departments including operations, roads policing and prevention are operating together across the three counties.

Changes are underway to align a further 11 departments.

BBC Spotlight

The police force in Devon and Cornwall may be merged with Dorset Police.

The chief constables of the two forces announced plans to look at a "full merger" between the two forces, which already have a strategic alliance in place.

In a joint statement Chief Constables Shaun Sawyer, (Devon and Cornwall), and Debbie Simpson, (Dorset), said: "We now see this as a timely opportunity to progress this alliance further, including a potential aim to merge our resources and create a more resilient police force.

“Policing has faced some significant funding challenges in recent years and we do not see this landscape changing.

"To preserve local, neighbourhood policing and deliver safeguarding within our communities, as well as an ability to respond to emergencies and emerging threats as effectively as possible, we view closer working as the only way forward.”

Cornwall Live

A fed-up neighbour has warned that he is going to go to the council offices and take the law into his own hands if nothing is done about speeding motorists who have already caused destruction along his road, external.

James Law
BBC Sport Online

Truro City striker Cody Cooke says there is a "different feel" around the club this season after a third victory in a row.

The 24-year-old scored a stoppage time winner last night as Truro won 2-1 at Havant & Waterlooville, keeping them seventh in National League South.

Image source, Truro City FC

"That's the difference from last year - we go 1-0 down and we don't think we're out of the game," he told BBC Radio Cornwall.

"We like to make things difficult, for sure, but it's that inner belief and spirit we've got at the minute."

BBC Radio Cornwall

A police officer is in hospital with a fractured and dislocated ankle after being stamped on in Delabole.

Three police officers have been injured during the incident, when officers were called to the Spar store on the High Street following reports of a man making threats to harm other people.

The officers were assaulted trying to detain him.

Supt Ian Drummond-Smith says it's always hard to see a colleague get hurt in the line of duty.

"This is in rural north Cornwall and we are spread fairly thinly and backup can be some distance away, so it's every police officer's worst nightmare having that call from a colleague and wanting to be there as quick as you can to help," he said.

BBC Spotlight

Three energy from waste incinerators in Devon and Cornwall are working well despite some concerns about excessive noise and odours coming from them, the Environment Agency has said.

The plants in Exeter, Plymouth and St Dennis have reduced landfill and have been generating enough electricity to power tens of thousands of homes, bosses have said.

However, they've also experienced some teething troubles, including noise pollution from a broken steam condenser in Cornwall.

Johnny O'Shea
BBC News Online

Image source, Jemma Meyrick

A mother has expressed her shock after her 13-year-old son was punished for wearing the wrong sort of black shoes on his first day back at school.

Jemma Meyrick has sent her son, Bradley, to Treviglas College in Newquay again this morning wearing the same pair.

"To my mind they are black, leather shoes and perfect for a uniform," she said.

"It is a ridiculous uniform policy, utterly ludicrous. The first day of school should be about getting reacquainted with other pupils and teachers.

A "handful" of pupils were given detention yesterday for wearing shoes that didn't comply with the uniform policy, head teacher Michelle Dunleavy confirmed.

Treviglas College said it held assemblies with pupils at the end of last term to explain what footwear was acceptable, and also posted pictures on its website.

BBC News England

The parents of two brothers swept off rocks while fishing have spoken of their sons' love for it.

Charles Allen, 21, was rescued from the sea near Treyarnon Bay in Cornwall on Monday afternoon, but later died in hospital.

Robert Allen, 30, has still not been found, despite extensive searches by emergency services.

Teams are searching the shore again this morning.

Their parents, Anthony and Margaret Allen, from Bristol, said: "Our sons were happy, kind, intelligent, loving brothers and we are in a state of shock at what has happened.

"We are living a nightmare that you would never want to happen to anyone.

"They took their fishing seriously and would study timetables and forecasts before venturing out."

Plymouth Herald

The Prime Minister has awarded two volunteers, external for establishing the first transgender and non-binary community support group in Plymouth.