Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

The body which inspects police forces across England and Wales has said Devon and Cornwall Police "requires improvement"’ in ensuring its workforce behaves ethically and lawfully.

But Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services rated the force as "good", external at treating all the people it serves and its workforce with fairness and respect.

Deputy Chief Constable James Vaughan said he was extremely proud of his workforce and was "heavily invested" in making sure officers and staff operated "ethically to provide the best possible service."

Image source, PA

HM Inspector of Constabulary Wendy Williams said Devon and Cornwall Police was working hard to ensure its officers were well trained, and various internal and public scrutiny processes monitored how officers and staff interacted with the public also work well.

She said: "The force does need to continue improving the way it manages the oversight of how coercive powers are used.

"In particular, the force needs to maintain a strong focus on monitoring how its staff use and record their stop and search powers, and make use of body-worn video footage as it becomes more widely available."

BBC Radio Devon

Devon fire crews and specialist rescue teams have freed a horse that was trapped in a ditch.

They were called to Shute, near Colyton, in east Devon at about 19:30 on Monday.

A vet sedated the animal and it was rescued by a lifting harness, firefighters said, external.

The horse was left in the care of a vet and its owner.

BBC Radio Devon

Hundreds of turtles are dying every year after getting tangled in rubbish in our oceans and on beaches, according to new research by Exeter University., external

Image source, Kate Charles, Ocean Spirits

The worldwide survey found 91% of turtles that were entangled in plastic were later found dead.

Professor Brendan Godley, from the university, said there was huge concern across the globe on the issue.

He said: "All marine life is at risk of being entangled up in these kind of things. It also happens to sharks, it also happens to seals, it also happens to some dolphins.

"People are more worried about this as a threat in the sea turtle conservation world across many oceans than oil pollution, or even the effects thus far of climate change."

Devon Live

A huge, eight-storey student flats project in the centre of Exeter, external will be built by Sir Robert McAlpine.

Richard Green
BBC Radio Devon

The marsh is on the east bank of the Exe Estuary, near Topsham, external, Exeter.

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

BBC Weather

It will be a cold but dry and sunny morning and turning cloudy later.

It will also get much breezier but it will remain largely dry until dusk with spells of rain arriving from the west shortly after.

Maximum temperature: 9C (48F)

BBC Radio Devon

The latest report, external from the police watchdog has rated the Devon and Cornwall force as "good overall" at keeping people safe and cutting crime.

As part of its annual inspections into police effectiveness and efficiency, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary said the force's approach to well-being in its workforce was outstanding.

Deputy Chief Constable James Vaughan said: "We welcome the positive nature of the legitimacy report, which is based on a concept of policing by consent; crucial in a democratic society.

“Following recent media and public interest on workforce well-being across the blue light services, the report states that our force’s approach to well-being is outstanding."

Twitter

Devon and Cornwall Police is warning drivers to take care on the roads this morning because of "widespread ice".

The force is urging people to take account of the conditions - particularly on untreated roads.

BBC Radio Devon

There are flood alerts in place on a number of rivers across Devon this morning.

The Environment Agency says flooding is possible on the middle and lower River Exe, the Clyst and Culm and the rivers on Exmoor.

It follows heavy rain and strong winds over the weekend.

We'll have a full forecast later.

Cornwall Live

A group of people attempting to prove the innocence of a convicted baby murderer from Cornwall has published what is said to be his version of her tragic death from prison, external.

BBC Radio Cornwall

Image source, Viewer's picture

Fire officers have praised the swift action of staff during a blaze which has destroyed the upper floors of a pub in Cornwall.

The blaze began at the Finnygook Inn at Crafthole near Torpoint on Monday afternoon.

Fire crews have been at the scene damping down overnight and an investigation will get under way later.

One area of the investigation will consider if a chimney fire at the pub last week had any bearing on Monday's blaze.

Incident commander John Castleden, of Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, said people there "did the right thing".

He added: "We are very sorry for the loss of the structure but we have to give them credit for their actions, making sure everyone was out of the building, not re-entering for personal belongings, and giving an early call to the fire service."

Ben Woolvin
BBC South West Home Affairs correspondent

Inspectors have identified "shocking" failings in work done by Dartmoor Prison to protect the public from risks posed by sex offenders released from the jail.

About 70% of inmates have been convicted of sex offences and a report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons in England and Wales (HMIP) has found "release planning" for high-risk prisoners "was often unplanned, rushed and poor".

The Prisons and Probation Service said protecting the public was its priority and a review of risk management arrangements had taken place.

Chief Inspector of Prisons Peter Clarke said he thought inmates were "not being properly assessed to determine exactly what their risk to the public might be".

He added: "They're being released ill-prepared and, indeed, it makes it even harder for those in the probation service in the community to try to understand what risk they might be handling."

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

Good morning from BBC Local Live. We'll be bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather for Devon and Cornwall today.

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