Summary

  • Bogus charity collections conman described as "saturated in dishonesty" jailed

  • Plymouth "murder" now being treated as "unexplained death"

  • Skinned cats found outside Truro Cathedral

  • Child sexual exploitation awareness campaign launched

  • Dartmoor Zoo tests positive for TB

  • Almost 13% of Cornish women kept smoking during pregnancy

  • Updates from Monday 12 March until Friday 16 March

  1. Police warn against 'vigilantes' in Wadebridgepublished at 08:08 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2018

    Andrew Segal
    BBC Local Live

    Police 'vigilantism' warning Facebook postImage source, Wadebridge Police/Facebook

    Police in Wadebridge have warned against possible vigilantes in the area and say they will "take positive action" against "anyone who seeks to target any person by unlawful means".

    In a post on Facebook, external, officers said they took "all reports to us seriously and will respond accordingly" and that "vigilantism will not be tolerated".

    They added: "We would encourage anyone who has any concerns to contact us and not to consider taking matters into their own hands."

    The BBC has asked Devon and Cornwall Police what sort of incidents officers have been dealing with to trigger the warning.

  2. Mother's Day free flowers gesture brings people to tearspublished at 07:58 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2018

    Devon Live

    Small bunches of flowers were left in the street of a Devon town this weekend by a stranger who wanted all children to be able to treat their mums on Mother's Day, even if they don't have money.

    People say they were brought to tears by the simple gesture on the streets of Tavistock, external.

  3. Devon travel: 'Significant flooding' on A379 Ashfordpublished at 07:58 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2018

    Twitter

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  4. Work to repair Totnes landslidepublished at 07:51 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2018

    Andrew Segal
    BBC Local Live

    Engineers are to continue work to examine and repair a large landslide in a residential area in Totnes which happened last week.

    A "significant" cascade of rock fell on to a popular through-road at about 20:30 on Friday, damaging four cars, police said. Maudlin Road was closed as a result.

    Residents said the incident sounded like a "massive explosion" and "could have killed someone".

    Totnes landslide
  5. Devon travel: Plymouth road blocked and Paignton crashpublished at 07:41 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2018

    BBC Radio Devon

    • In Plymouth, Wolseley Road is blocked in both directions due to a police incident at Normandy Hill
    • In Paignton, there are reports of a crash involving a motorbike on the A3022 Seaway Road
  6. MP calls for accountability in £350k school overspendpublished at 07:39 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2018

    Christine Butler
    BBC Radio Cornwall

    Warbstow School

    Cornwall Council has been criticised by an MP for going greatly over budget for new prefabricated classrooms at a school near Bude.

    Engineering firm Arcadis won a contract to provide a new building 18 months ago at a cost of about £160,000.

    But, at a recent public meeting, it was reported that villagers in Warbstow were told £508,000 had so far been spent, with more money still needed to crane the classroom into place.

    North Cornwall Conservative MP Scott Mann said such overspends were "not acceptable" in the pubic sector and someone at the council "should be held accountable for this".

    Neither Cornwall Council or Arcadis have responded to our requests for a comment.

  7. BBC Local Live: Devon & Cornwallpublished at 07:31 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2018

    Bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather for Devon and Cornwall for Monday 12 March to Friday 16 March

    Read More
  8. South West Water to pay compensation after supply issuespublished at 07:29 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2018

    BBC Radio Devon

    South West Water has said it will pay compensation - above the statutory minimum - to those customers worst affected with supply problems during the recent cold weather.

    The water company says about 3,000 households across the region had significant problems - many caused by burst water mains - and says its staff "worked tirelessly to ensure alternative water supplies were arranged".

    The water regulator for England and Wales, Ofwat, is to investigate why thousands of homes suffered water shortages in the wake of the recent cold weather.

  9. National Trust apologises to Cornish in cream tea ad rowpublished at 07:26 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2018

    The Daily Telegraph

    The rivalry between Devon and Cornwall over the correct order of cream and jam on a scone is one of the country’s fiercest disputes, and locals are expected to know where their side stands.

    A National Trust property in Cornwall therefore prompted understandable outrage after it advertised cream teas for Mother’s Day - with a photograph showing the cream being spread before the jam., external

  10. Woman rescued after falling into riverpublished at 07:12 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2018

    Hayley Westcott
    BBC News Online

    A woman has been rescued after falling into a fast flowing river in Devon, a fire service has said.

    The woman was rescued from the water by members of the public, before firefighters reached the scene, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said.

    It happened in the River Batherm in Bampton at about 23:50 on Sunday.

    Firefighters gave first aid to the woman and she was left with paramedics.

    Her condition is not known.

  11. Weather: Cloudy and breezy with showery rainpublished at 07:08 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2018

    BBC Weather

    It will be cloudy and breezy with outbreaks of showery rain throughout the day.

    Heavier rain is expected this morning.

    There will also be some brightness.

    Maximum temperature: 10C (50F).

    weather map
  12. Devon travel: One lane open on A30 at Fenny Bridgespublished at 07:07 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2018

    Twitter

    One lane is open on the A30 westbound between the B3177 at Fenny Bridges near Ottery St Mary and the B3180 at Strete Ralegh, Highways England has said.

    It was completely closed on Sunday after a coach fire.

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  13. 'Wrong' cream tea sparks angry outcrypublished at 07:04 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2018

    Jam and cream are used "in the wrong order" on a cream tea advert at a Cornish National Trust landmark.

    Read More
  14. Police appeal after A35 crash involves five childrenpublished at 07:02 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2018

    Hayley Westcott
    BBC News Online

    Police are appealing for witnesses after a car crash on the A35 on Sunday.

    Two vehicles were involved in the collision, with three adults and five children in the vehicles.

    Two people had to be freed from their cars with first aid given to the walking wounded, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said.

    It happened at about 18:30 near Axminster and the road was closed in both directions for some time.

    Devon and Cornwall Police added the people involved had "relatively minor injuries fortunately".

    Anyone with information is being asked to contact the police.

    The road has now been reopened.

    car wreckageImage source, Devon and Cornwall Police