Summary

  • Release of inmates at Dartmoor Prison 'rushed and poor', inspectors say

  • Seizures of drugs in Devon and Cornwall up 69% in the last year, Home Office says

  • MP Anne Marie Morris has Conservative whip restored after racist remark row

  • Level of damage to turtles caused by plastic revealed in Exeter research

  • Devon and Cornwall Police 'good overall' but staff behaviour 'requires improvement'

  • Injured turtle being cared for at Newquay aquarium

  • More news, sport, travel and weather from 07:00 on Wednesday 13 December

  1. Devon travel: Exeter road partially blocked by accidentpublished at 13:05 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2017

    BBC Radio Devon

    In Exeter, Heavitree Road is partially blocked by an accident near Gladstone Road. There's very heavy traffic in the area.

  2. Homeless charity sees 97% rise in starter packspublished at 12:50 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2017

    Sarah Gosling
    BBC News Online

    Homeless charity PATH have witnessed a 97% rise in the number of people needing tenancy starter packs, provided to them when they have next to nothing else.

    PATH, otherwise known as Plymouth Access To Housing, believe the spike is due to unrenewed tenancies, relationship breakups, and an increase in refugees in the city.

    The tenancy starter packs are designed for those struggling with accommodation and without possessions, rather than those sleeping rough.

    PATH Tenancy Starter PacksImage source, PATH

    Packs include items like plates, pans, toiletries, bedding, cleaning products, and an electric kettle. The bundles cost around £35.

    PATH Director Mike Taylor said: "These packs are for people struggling, but living independently, and are still less popular than our bedding packs".

    "We're trying to give people a fresh start, and a good start. We want people to find a home".

  3. South West house prices rise second fastest in UKpublished at 12:29 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2017

    Kevin Peachey
    Personal finance reporter

    House prices in the South West rose at more than three times the pace of London in the past year.

    Property prices in the region rose by more than 6.5% in the year to October - the fastest in the UK, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

    The fastest growth over the same period was a 7% rise in the East Midlands. The slowest was 2.1% in London.

    However, average prices in the capital remain the highest at £481,000, compared with a UK average of £224,000, the ONS figures show.

    The typical UK house price rose by £10,000 compared with a year earlier, but was £1,000 lower than in September.

    House prices rise
  4. Prison release planning 'rushed and poor'published at 12:19 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2017

    The release of high-risk inmates at Dartmoor Prison is 'rushed and poor', a report says.

    Read More
  5. FA Cup replay: Exeter City could face West Brompublished at 12:09 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2017

    BBC Sport

    Exeter City will look to book their place in the third round of the FA Cup tonight.

    The Grecians take on Forest Green Rovers at St James Park in a second round replay after their original tie finished 3-3 10 days ago.

    Premier League West Bromich Albion await the winners of tonight's match, with full commentary will be on BBC Radio Devon.

  6. There's still some snow on Dartmoorpublished at 11:56 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2017

    Ben Woolvin
    BBC South West Home Affairs correspondent

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  7. Injured turtle being cared for at Newquay aquariumpublished at 11:23 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2017

    BBC Radio Cornwall

    Rescued turtleImage source, Dave Hudson Photography

    An injured tropical turtle which washed up on a Cornwall beach is being cared for by staff at the Blue Reef Aquarium in Newquay.

    The rare Kemp's Ridley turtle was found by Dave Hudson, a conservation and biodiversity student from Exeter University.

    The turtle was freezing cold and exhausted after it is believed to have travelled from its natural habitat near Mexico or Texas.

    Rescued turtleImage source, Dave Hudson Photography
    Quote Message

    I actually thought it was dead when I picked it up. They go into cold shock which, ultimately, makes them a little bit passive. There was very little movement, if any, and so I thought I'd pick it up and see if it's alright."

    Dave Hudson

  8. Fire crews wish blaze-hit pub 'a quick recovery'published at 11:15 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2017

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    The blaze broke out at the Finnygook Inn at Crafthole on Monday afternoon.

    An investigation is under way into the cause.

  9. Hayle death: Tributes paid to woman found near carpublished at 10:53 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2017

    Rob Byrne
    BBC News Online

    Tributes have been paid to a woman who died after being found lying on a pavement in front of her car in Cornwall.

    Dolores Woolcock, 66, died after an accident in Hayle on 10 December 2017, police said.

    Dolores WoolcockImage source, Family handout

    Her family said in a statement: “Dolores was a loving, kind, and caring person. We will forever miss her beautiful smile and thoughtful ways."

    Devon and Cornwall Police said her death was not believed to be suspicious but officers were investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.

    A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out.

  10. Delays expected at Canal Bridges as boat passespublished at 10:38 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2017

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  11. Traffic disruption warning by wide load escort policepublished at 10:26 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2017

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  12. More Cornish sunrises capturedpublished at 10:19 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2017

    BBC Weather Watchers

    Our Weather Watchers have been busy snapping what was a spectacular sunrise over Cornwall this morning.

    Sunrise
    Sunrise
    Sunrise

    Have you any pictures you want to share? Just email them to us.

  13. 'Heartless' handbag theft in charity shoppublished at 10:00

    BBC Radio Devon

    Police are asking for the public's help after a woman had her handbag stolen in a Torquay charity shop.

    Officers said it was taken at about 15:00 on Wednesday 6 December, external at the Barnardo's charity shop in St Marychurch.

    The elderly victim said the bag was a gift from her late husband.

    PC Leah Taylor said: "This is such a heartless crime. Not only has the aggrieved suffered a financial loss but an emotional one too.

    "The impact of losing a cherished link to a loved one is difficult to measure."

  14. 'Shocking failings' at Dartmoor Prison exposedpublished at 09:52 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2017

    Devon Live

    Dartmoor Prison needs help from the prison service to improve "shocking" failings in its work to protect the public from the risk posed by men it releases, according to a new report published today., external

  15. Pub blaze being investigatedpublished at 09:41 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2017

    BBC Radio Cornwall

    Investigators are due to begin work this morning to try to find out what caused a fire that destroyed the upper floor of a pub near Torpoint.

    The blaze broke out at the Finnygook Inn at Crafthole on Monday afternoon.

    Firefighters were also called to a chimney fire at the same pub last week.

    Witnesses described large amounts of smoke coming from building at first during Monday's fire.

    Finnygook Inn on fireImage source, Claire Abbot
    Quote Message

    You couldn't see the flames at first. It was just all the smoke was coming up through the tiles, but, as it progressed, flames started coming up from the other side."

    Donna Davidson, Neighbour

  16. Golden skies captured over north Cornwallpublished at 09:20 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2017

    Hayley Westcott
    BBC News Online

    This winter morning scene in St Breock, Wadebridge, was captured at 08:00 this morning by Chris Williams.

    Sunrise in CornwallImage source, Chris Williams

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  17. Devon travel: A381 partially blocked, Tavistock closurepublished at 09:14 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2017

    BBC Radio Devon

    The A381 is partially blocked in Harbertonford, around Woodland Road, due to a broken-down vehicle.

    Elsewhere:

    • In Tavistock, Chapel Street is partially blocked around Ford Street due to an accident. Nearby, Whitchurch Road is closed in both directions between Anderton Lane and the A386 Abbey Place due to ice
    • In Exeter, there are reports the traffic lights at the junction with Hennock Road East and Bad Homburg Way have failed
    • On the A380 around Kingsteignton, heading towards Exeter. there's a lane closure for roadworks, with traffic slow moving and queueing
    • At Harrowbarrow. the B3257 is partially blocked due to a lorry stuck around the A390
  18. Ice warning on Devon roadspublished at 09:09 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2017

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    Highways bosses also said that drivers should "be aware" that ice could also not be far away from any surface icy remains "left over from the weekend".

  19. Urgent repairs to water supplies in Torquaypublished at 09:06 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2017

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  20. High tide times for the regionpublished at 08:56 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2017

    Alex Osborne
    BBC Weather

    If you're planning a trip to the coast or seaside, here are the next high water times around Devon and Cornwall.

    Alex Osborne presents the region's high tides

    We'll have full forecasts here through the day and on BBC Spotlight at 13:30.