Summary

  • Woman arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences

  • Care worker inherits estate after DNA test

  • 'Serious sexual assault' investigated

  • Police in Saltash raid seize drugs and firearm

  • Elderly man rescued from Lydford Gorge

  • Updates from Tuesday 21 May 2019

Live Reporting

  1. Police officer failed to arrest man with crack cocaine

    A Devon and Cornwall Police officer - who failed to arrest a man found in possession of crack cocaine - has been given a final written warning.

    It follows an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct into a stop and search.

    The incident was referred by the force in November 2017 after others raised concerns.

    A hearing found the police constable had committed gross misconduct for failing to arrest the man for a drugs offence.

    The officer had the grounds to arrest the suspect for a drugs offence but chose not to. The officer’s improper conduct and failure to appropriately handle and log evidence meant the man could not be subsequently prosecuted for any offence relating to the drugs found on him. His actions compromised the integrity of the investigation and also put his colleagues in a difficult position.”

    OPC Regional Director Catrin Evans

    A referral was also made to the Crown Prosecution Service as there was an indication a criminal offence may have been committed. The CPS decided not to authorise any charge.

  2. Robot lawnmowers in council trial

    Alison Johns
    BBC South West

    Robot lawnmowers are being used by a Devon council in a bid to save money and free up staff.

    East Devon District Council is using the robot mowers for a trial period to mow its parks and green spaces. It will see if it can reduce costs and free up staff for other jobs.

    Once the trial is over in the autumn, the council says it will assess the potential to roll-out more robot mowers across the district.

    MowerWithy pitches/EDDC

  3. Julian German elected new leader of Cornwall Council

    Richard Whitehouse
    Local Democracy Reporting Service

    Cornwall Council

    Cornwall Council has chosen a new leader to take the helm at County Hall for the next two years.

    Independent councillor Julian German was elected after a secret ballot was held of members at this morning's annual meeting of the council.

    Liberal Democrat councillor and outgoing leader Adam Paynter nominated and proposed that his deputy for the past two years, Councillor German, should be leader saying that he "would do an excellent job for Cornwall".

    The motion was seconded by Independent group leader Carolyn Rule, who praised Councillor Paynter for "an amazing job" he has done in his two years as leader.

    Conservative councillor John Fitter then nominated his group leader, Linda Taylor, for the post, seconded by David Harris. Speaking in support of his nomination Councillor German said he wanted to continue to deliver for Cornwall and Cornwall residents.

    "I am dedicated to Cornwall and dedicated to delivering good services to the people of Cornwall," he said.

  4. Takeaways dish up wheat, egg and milk to allergy sufferers

    Alison Johns
    BBC South West

    Kebab shops in Devon and Somerset are being warned they must do more to provide safe food for allergy sufferers.

    Inspections by the Trading Standards Service found more than 40% of kebab takeaways failed to comply with laws designed to keep consumers safe.

    Officers visited 38 takeaways in Devon and Somerset. In five cases, milk was found in kebab meat without it being on the label. In 12 cases where officers said they had allergies to wheat, egg and milk, they were still served food which contained them.

    KebabGetty Images

  5. Nineteen arrested in County Lines crackdown

    Charley Adams
    BBC News Online

    As part of a national crackdown on County Lines drug gangs, 19 people have been arrested, thousands of pounds of drugs have been seized, as well as £81,000 cash.

    Devon and Cornwall Police officers joined forces with Regional Organised Crime Units across the country for a national week of action to disrupt the activity of suspected County Lines networks.

    County Lines is the term used to describe urban gangs supplying drugs to other parts of the UK using dedicated mobile phone lines.

    Police said the gangs are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults in order to move and store drugs and money, often using coercion, intimidation, violence and weapons.

    Between 13 and 20 May:

    • 19 people were arrested - 16 men and three women.
    • 33 vulnerable adults and two children were engaged for safeguarding purposes.
    • 49 suspected 'cuckooed' addresses - where drug dealers target the vulnerable - were visited.
    • Officers seized £81,187 in cash.
    • Suspected Class A drugs, including around £7,000 of cocaine, 45 wraps of heroin, crack cocaine, plus suspected cannabis and unknown tablets were also seized.
    • Seven weapons were seized including knives, a BB gun and an axe.
    • Nine mobile phones were seized, plus £25,000 of designer goods.

    Throughout the week we have taken action against suspected individuals as well as giving support to young people and vulnerable people who are at risk from County Lines. Young people and vulnerable adults are exposed to physical and mental abuse from these organised networks, and in some instances are trafficked to places a long way from home.

    Antony Hart, Det Supt

  6. Woman arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences
    Breaking

    BBC Radio Devon

    A woman has been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences in Plymouth.

    Officers from Counter Terrorism arrested a 40-year-old woman in the city earlier.

    The woman was arrested on suspicion of possessing information likely to be useful to commit or prepare for an act of terrorism, under section 58 of the Terrorism Act.

    She currently remains in police custody.

    Police said there is no immediate risk to the public.

  7. 'Serious sexual assault' investigated

    BBC Radio Devon

    Police are investigating a serious sexual assault that is alleged to have taken place in Ilfracombe in the early hours of this morning.

    It's reported to have happened at a property on Marlborough Road, where Devon and Cornwall Police officers have been conducting door-to-door inquiries.

    The victim is being supported by specialist officers.

  8. Emergency services searching faulty life jacket beacon

    Charley Adams
    BBC News Online

    Lifeboat and coastguard teams were called to a search and rescue operation after a beacon was activated in the Truro area.

    The personal locator beacon (PLB), which was activated at about 06:50 on Tuesday morning, was registered and HM Coastguard has confirmed the vessel's owners are safe and well.

    However, the PLB, attached to a life jacket, is not with the vessel.

    A search is taking place to try and establish whether the beacon has been triggered by someone else.

    The coastguard is appealing to anyone who might have triggered the beacon accidentally this morning to come forward and let the coastguard know they are safe and well.

    We believe the PLB may have been triggered accidentally or there’s a possibility that it may be faulty, which is why it is sending the alerts. We treat any beacon alert as a potential emergency and so will carry out a search and rescue operation accordingly, until we can establish another reason for the PLB alert going off.

    James Instance, Duty Controller for HM Coastguard

  9. Exeter's former Scotland prop Low retires

    Exeter's former Scotland prop Moray Low announces his retirement after five years at Sandy Park.

    Read More

  10. How you can help medical science with hospital research

    BBC Spotlight

    Researchers have been encouraging people to take part in clinical trials to try to help further medical science.

    The work being carried out by the University of Exeter and the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital covers a range of conditions.

    It can involve taking a new medicine or having a pre-existing symptom regularly monitored.

    They're also hoping to involve more children in their trials and there's more information on how to get involved here.

  11. Plastic polluters risk danger to seals says Cornwall charity

    BBC Spotlight

    Cornwall's Seal Sanctuary is urging people to dispose of their rubbish properly after footage emerged of a seal pup surrounded by plastic waste.

    SealSeal Sanctuary

    The charity, based near Gweek, says plastic is having a dangerous impact on wildlife both on land and in the ocean.

    This year it has rehabilitated 79 seal pups from around the county's coastline.

    Of those, five had to be treated due to entanglement and plastic ingestion.

  12. New research into ocean plastic pollution

    Charley Adams
    BBC News Online

    The University of Plymouth is joining forces with eXXpedition to conduct new research into the impact plastic pollution is having on oceans.

    They will work together to coordinate and complete scientific experiments as part of eXXpedition's Round the World 2019-2021 voyage.

    eXXpedition is a community interest company that specialises in all-women sailing trips and focuses on highlighting the impact of single-use plastic on our planet’s oceans, ecosystems and on human health.

    The voyage will involve 300 women sailing more than 38,000 nautical miles over two years.

    They will set off from Plymouth in October and travel to some of the most important and diverse marine environments on the planet, where they will collect samples to build a comprehensive picture of the state of our seas.

    As well, there will be a wider citizen science and outreach programme to encourage people to gain a greater understanding of this global issue.

    Collecting samples in glass bottleseXXpedition

    The eXXpedition voyage will be collecting samples from around the world.

  13. Care worker inherits estate after DNA test

    Jordan Adlard Rogers only confirmed who his father was after his death and inherits a 1536-acre estate.

    Read More

  15. Helston Town Council declares climate emergency

    BBC Radio Cornwall

    Helston Town Council has become the latest authority to declare a climate emergency.

    It is now asking residents to help it become carbon neutral by 2030.

    It follows Cornwall Council following the lead of other authorities in the UK and declaring a climate emergency earlier this year.

    The Helston council said the move meant it would be "proactive in lobbying for reductions in carbon emissions at a local and national level".

    Helston councillors also said they were planning a conference in the town at the start of next month to debate the issue.

    Helston Town CouncilHelston Town Council

  17. Elderly man rescued from Lydford Gorge

    Johanna Carr
    BBC News Online

    Firefighters rescued an elderly man following a possible cardiac episode from near the Whitelady Waterfall in Lydford Gorge.

    They were called to the waterfall on Monday afternoon and used a stretcher to carry the man, who suffered injuries to his leg, out to an area accessible to an ambulance.

    He was taken to hospital. His condition is not known.

    Lydford GorgeGetty Images

  19. Police in Saltash raid seize drugs and firearm

    Johanna Carr
    BBC News Online

    A major police operation in Saltash on Monday led to the arrest of three people - and the seizure of a large quantity of drugs and a firearm.

    Devon and Cornwall Police said three people remain in custody. No-one else is being sought in relation to the inquiry.

  20. Weather: Fine, dry and sunny

    Alex Osborne
    BBC Weather

    Early fog patches will quickly clear to leave another fine and dry day with some good periods of sunshine.

    Some patchy fair weather cloud is likely to build as the day progresses, particularly along southern coastal areas.

    Winds will be light and variable with sea breezes developing during the afternoon.

    Maximum temperature: 14 to 17C (57 to 63F).

    Weather