Home Blog Page 11

Torquay brothel shut down after residents raise concerns with police

Aaron James
-
0
Torquay brothel shut down after residents raise concerns with police

A suspected brothel operating from a residential street has been shut down after concerns raised by members of the community prompted police action.

Neighbourhood Support Team officers attended a property on The Terrace in Torquay, where three people – a man and two women – were arrested on suspicion of keeping a brothel for the purposes of prostitution.

The man has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.

Of the two women arrested, one was referred to immigration authorities and has since been deported. The second woman was released with no further action.

Police thanked members of the public who came forward with information and highlighted the role communities play in helping keep neighbourhoods safe.

A spokesperson for Torbay Police said: “A brothel operating from a residential street in Torquay has been shut down following concerns raised by the community.

“Neighbourhood Support Team officers attended the property on The Terrace, where three people – a man and two women – were arrested on suspicion of keeping a brothel for the purposes of prostitution.

“The man has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.

“Of the two women arrested, one has been referred to Immigration authorities and has since been deported. The second woman was released with no further action.

“Officers have thanked the public who came forward with information, emphasising the important role the community plays in helping to keep neighbourhoods safe.”

New Deaf Cafe aims to break barriers across Devon community

Nigel Canham
-
0
New Deaf Cafe aims to break barriers across Devon community

A new monthly Deaf Cafe in Bovey Tracey is set to offer a social setting for people with hearing loss and enable others to learn British Sign Language.

The project is the brainchild of 23-year-old Chudleigh Knighton businessman Bradley Oliver and thought be the first of its kind covering Teignbridge and much of Dartmoor.

The idea came to him when running the fortnightly Makers Gift Market at the Bovey Tracey Riverside Community Centre.

He tried to talk with a girl interested in his laser-cut crafts but her parents said she was deaf and only knew sign language.

That was enough for Bradley and mum Katrina, who is also involved in the business, to pay for their own signing lessons.

Now they want to share the joy their new skill has brought.

‘We have disabilities in our own family and know how important it is that everyone is included,’ said Bradley.

‘There are five houses in Bovey Tracey that are run by Deaf UK and they bring people here for holidays.

‘When they come to the market and realise we can sign they’re often surprised and the response is really positive.

‘We can go round the stalls and interpret the best we can to let them know the price of objects or help them express their thoughts.’

Bradley at the Riverside Community Centre

The new Deaf Cafe is set to launch with a trial on Friday July 3 then take place 1.30pm – 3.30pm on the first Friday of each month from September.

‘People can come and learn finger spelling and other basics, but it’s also for deaf people to come and chat with others in their community,’ said Bradley.

‘We’re starting to spread the word and quite a few people are already interested. We’re just asking for a £2 donation to cover costs and hope it will go from strength to strength.’

The scheme has won the backing of Central Devon MP and Shadow Chancellor, Sir Mel Stride MP, who said: ‘This is a great initiative on the part of Bradley who is once again showing how local action can help in a way that assists not just those who are deaf or hearing impaired but the wider community too. I look forward to the prospect of visiting the Deaf Cafe in the future and seeing this great initiative in action.’

The Riverside Community Centre is operated by Bovey Tracey Town Council and manager Helen Tate is providing initial free room hire.

‘She said: I have been very impressed with Bradley’s energy and effort which he gladly commits to a wide range of initiatives, supporting and enhancing life for many in Bovey Tracey.’

Search Facebook for Deaf Cafe Bovey.

Thousands rally to stop feared cull of Exmoor’s native ponies

James Wright
-
0
Thousands rally to stop feared cull of Exmoor’s native ponies

A letter calling on the Secretary of State to protect the native ponies of Exmoor and Dartmoor has gathered more than 6,500 signatures in 5 days, drawing support from across the country and raising wider questions about trust in Natural England and the Government’s handling of upland farming.

The letter was launched by James Wright, an Exmoor farmer and Conservative campaigner, after Natural England moved to change the rules on Dartmoor. Under new grazing contracts, up to 90% of Dartmoor’s semi-wild ponies could be removed from the moor. The letter asks the Government to make sure the same approach is not forced on Exmoor, where the native pony is one of Britain’s rarest and oldest breeds, descended from fewer than 50 animals that survived the Second World War.

The campaign comes at a moment of real uncertainty for the uplands, the Basic Payment Scheme has finished, and its replacement, the Sustainable Farming Incentive, was closed to new applicants in March 2025 before reopening this year in a weaker form. Many upland farms remain tied to older stewardship agreements that have not kept pace with inflation. With agri-environment payments now making up around a third of the average farm’s income, and more for many upland holdings, decisions taken by Natural England and Defra increasingly determine whether traditional moorland grazing survives at all.

Mr Wright will deliver the letter to the Secretary of State in person on behalf of those who have signed, calling for the ponies of both moors to be recognised as part of the nation’s cultural and biological heritage.

James Wright said: “This is about the ponies, our way of life and it is about Natural England; whether anyone can still trust a word they say. When grazing agreements ended on Dartmoor, families who had farmed those commons for generations were threatened with enforcement. A government review then told the agency to completely change its approach. So forgive me if I do not take their reassurances about Exmoor at face value. Anyone who does is being naive.”

“The truth is the Government has no plan for the uplands. The schemes hill farmers relied on have been closed and reopened in a weaker form. The ponies are simply the first casualty, and the rest of upland Britain is waiting.”

He added: “These animals survived a world war. They should not have to survive their own Government. Six and half thousand people have signed this letter in five days because they understand that once these ponies are gone, they are gone for good.”

The letter remains open for signatures. https://www.james-wright.org.uk/news/save-our-moorland-ponies-sign-letter

Tavistock rail campaigners warn Plymouth faces traffic gridlock

Tim Steer
-
0
Tavistock rail campaigners warn Plymouth faces traffic gridlock

Railfuture has demonstrated its support for the reopening of the former line from Tavistock to Bere Alston, for services to Plymouth and beyond, by meeting the campaign group TavyRAIL which has recently affiliated to the national organisation.

Railfuture’s Devon and Cornwall regional branch chair Tim Steer and branch secretary Alan Clark made their way to Tavistock to meet with TavyRail chair Richard Searight and some other members, and be given a guided walk and talk along the rail alignment which has been disused since 1968. 

The track bed though overgrown in places provided Railfuture with a first-person experience on how well-located the proposed new Tavistock station would be, on the south side of the town and easy for residents of new housing there, for travel to Plymouth and other destinations.

Vice-chair of TavyRAIL Councillor Anne Johnson – now Mayor of Tavistock – provided Railfuture with an insight on West Devon’s five-year housing land supply and how Tavistock is fulfilling its duty to build new homes, as well as on the problems the residents face with their daily commutes. 

Richard Searight said: “The Plymouth-Tavistock line restoration is not a ‘nice to have’.  It is the solution to a literal car crash about to happen if Plymouth is to avert the traffic chaos to be created when Babcock start to receive the £4.4 billion increase in military spending over the next few years.  The A386 link road is already the slowest A-road in the South West.  It is about to get even slower!  Any fears that the line would be little used are totally ill-founded.  The Okehampton-Exeter service has generated huge rail traffic. Approaching 350,000 people use it per year.  Current projections for the Tavistock-Plymouth service are approaching 400,000 as both destinations are significantly larger than those the current Dartmoor line serves.”

Tim Steer stated that Plymouth City is now starting on multi-billion pound defence contracts and simply does not have the transport capacity to provide a sustainable alternative to car parks or roads for defence employers and manufacturers to take on new staff.  The MP for Plymouth Sutton & Devonport, Luke Pollard, also Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence since last September, has recently given his support to see the Tavistock line reopened, as well as new stations at Plympton and at Laira.  The Tavistock line has also seen support from the Torridge and Tavistock MP Sir Geoffrey Cox KC, and the South Devon MP Rebecca Smith who is on the House of Commons Transport Select Committee. 

Tim Steer says: “Public transport infrastructure needs to improve for Plymouth as it has already been shown in the annual global traffic scorecard from INRIX to be the worst congested city in the South West; Exeter is second, followed by Barnstaple town.  These are all growing conurbations which require additional supporting rail capacity or face further traffic gridlock in jams which lower productivity and overall delivery.” 

Thanks to funding from the DfT, through the Ideas Fund in the former Restoring Your Railway programme, and Devon County Council, a Strategic Outline Business Case was commissioned and published.  This is only the first stage, however, and now funding is required to commission an Outline Business Case.  Reopening the line from Bere Alston for services to Tavistock is in the Local Transport Plan 4 2025-40, adopted by the new Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority.  It’s also in the Delivery Plan of Peninsula Transport’s Strategic Implementation Plan 2025-50 as a ‘Tier One / Region-wide’ ie High Priority scheme, and is integral to the Plymouth Metro package of schemes.

Tim went on to say: “I have been to see Sir Geoffrey Cox KC MP who has personally stated to me that he wants this line to be reopened.  Railfuture understands that in October 2023 the previous government had indicated “that the project will be funded to delivery, subject to future updates to the project business case” but sadly the current government has been unable to continue this commitment.  If central government now wants to see the military able to deliver on its multi-billion pound defence contracts then we will need to see an acceleration on the Plymouth Metro, with the business cases provided to the Department for Transport for Tavistock and Plympton.  Railfuture fully support affiliated group TavyRail, and we will help them get towards the Final Business Case so that the line supports the Tavistock community and alleviates the traffic congestion around Plymouth.”

Railfuture is Britain’s longest-established and leading independent voluntary organisation campaigning exclusively for better rail services for passengers and freight.  It advocates on behalf of all rail users nationally and through 14 branches with 20,000 affiliated and individual members.  Railfuture is completely independent, being funded solely by its members’ subscriptions and legacies.

Full details of Railfuture’s Devon & Cornwall regional branch: Railfuture | Devon and Cornwall Branch Contacts – Chair: tim.steer@railfuture.org.uk and Secretary: alan.clark@railfuture.org.uk

Fury as plans lodged for 175 homes on protected Brixham farmland

CPRE Devon
-
0
Fury as plans lodged for 175 homes on protected Brixham farmland

The charity that campaigns against unwanted and inappropriate development across Devon has submitted a comprehensive objection to Torbay Council outlining numerous reasons why proposals should be refused to build 175 homes on agricultural land within the protected South Devon National Landscape, on the western side of Brixham.

Devon CPRE objects to such a large development within the National Landscape, stating that submitted plans for Monksbridge Park in Mathill Road conflict with national planning policy and the adopted local development plan. The latter places significant emphasis on landscape-led development and high-quality contextual design; however, the scale, density, and spatial extent of the developer’s outline proposal appear to be driven primarily by maximising site yield.

The Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment identified significant adverse effects on the South Devon National Landscape and its setting during construction and early occupation phases, including within the wider valley landscape around Brixham. Devon CPRE says the developer’s description of effects as “localised” underplays their impact and claims the plans lack robust evidence demonstrating that long-term landscape harm will be avoided or acceptably mitigated.

Furthermore, the charity says the proposal does not comply with a strong policy (Policy SC4: Sustainable Food Production and Land Protection) in favour of protecting Best and Most Versatile (BMV) agricultural land,  supporting local food production and ensuring that development on higher-quality agricultural land is only permitted where there is an overriding need and no reasonable lower-grade alternative.

Devon CPRE Director Penny Mills says, “Recent CPRE research showed there was enough brownfield land in Devon for 16,700 houses. The priority should be to prioritise the use of these previously developed sites before any more green land is concreted over for housing – particularly in the setting of a National Landscape. More than 370 objections to the Monksbridge Park development have already been logged on the Torbay Council website. So the message is clear: this is the wrong development in the wrong location.”

She adds, “CPRE is celebrating its centenary this year. For 100 years our charity has steadfastly fought inappropriate development in our countryside. Here in Devon, we have so many precious landscapes and productive farmland that should be protected for future generations because there are plenty of other sites for new homes. We support communities across the county with such applications and have recently helped residents in Westleigh in North Devon successfully fight off plans for new homes on the edge of their village. We would urge people in South Devon to join us as members to support our fighting funds.”

Councils are responsible for ensuring that sufficient planning permissions are granted to meet local housing need over the next five years. At the moment, Torbay Council only meets the need for less than two years. Devon CPRE’s objection acknowledges that the absence of a five-year housing land supply is an important material consideration. However, it says the presumption in favour of sustainable development does not override the statutory and national policy protections afforded to the National Landscape.

To find out more about Devon CPRE’s work to protect the countryside and how to support the charity, visit: cpredevon.org.uk

Police warn of tragedy waiting to happen after fresh Torbay break-ins

Devon Today
-
0
Police warn of tragedy waiting to happen after fresh Torbay break-ins

A late-night emergency response to reports of a teenager falling through a skylight has prompted a renewed warning from police over the dangers of entering abandoned buildings.

Officers were called to three separate incidents across Torbay after reports of young people breaking into derelict properties in Paignton and Brixham.

Two incidents were reported in Paignton, involving abandoned buildings opposite Paignton railway station and within the Oldway Mansion complex.

In Brixham, police received two calls relating to a group of youths who had entered a disused care home site. One call came from a young person who reported that a friend had fallen through a skylight inside the property.

Police officers and two fire appliances were sent to the scene. However, a group of youths was seen running away from the site before emergency crews arrived.

A broken skylight was discovered and fire officers carried out a full search of the buildings, but nobody was found.

Sgt Ed Thomas said: “This type of behaviour put police officers and especially fire officers at considerable risk and wastes emergency service time that could be needed elsewhere.

“Enquiries have given us a number of names of those possibly involved, including people from elsewhere in Torbay and as far as Exeter. We will be making follow up enquiries with those concerned and their families.”

The latest incidents come a day after police issued a public warning about a growing number of reports involving young people entering abandoned buildings across Torbay.

Officers said they were receiving daily reports of youths accessing derelict sites and warned that somebody could be seriously injured or killed.

Police said abandoned buildings can contain unstable structures, unsafe floors, broken glass, exposed electrical wiring and entrapment hazards. They also warned of potential exposure to asbestos and bird droppings, which can cause long-term health problems.

Officers have urged parents to speak to their children if they believe they may be involved in entering abandoned properties.

Police also reminded residents that while trespass is generally considered a civil matter, offences including burglary are criminal offences and will be investigated accordingly.

Anyone concerned about people accessing abandoned buildings is advised to contact Torbay Council and the owner of the property. Urgent matters should be reported to police through the usual channels.

Four weeks on and still no sign of missing teenager Taylor

Devon and Cornwall Police
-
0
Four weeks on and still no sign of missing teenager Taylor

Detectives are continuing a significant investigation into the disappearance of teenager Taylor Charlton in Barnstaple – four weeks after he went missing.

Enquiries have seen officers gather and review a substantial amount of CCTV footage from the area.

The last confirmed sighting of Taylor is on CCTV near a footpath close to Tarka Leisure Centre and the Seven Brethren car park, Barnstaple, at 10.41pm on Friday 8 May. He is seen heading in the direction of the River Taw.

Detectives are keen to speak to any remaining witnesses, who have not yet been in contact with police, who were in the area at the time and may have seen Taylor.

While all lines of enquiry remain open, there is no evidence at this time that a third-party was involved in Taylor’s disappearance.  

Senior Investigation Officer Detective Inspector Charlotte Heath said: “Taylor is last seen on CCTV at 10.41pm near the footpath between the Tarka Leisure Centre and Seven Brethren car park, Barnstaple.

“We would like to hear from anyone who was in that immediate area at or around that time on Friday 8 May and thinks they may have seen Taylor.

“Detectives have obtained and reviewed a large amount of CCTV and spoken to many people already, but it is important that we are aware of all possible information at the exact point that he went missing in order to try to establish what has happened.

“While every effort has been made to collect CCTV, if you are in possession of any CCTV or digital recording in that immediate area at the relevant time, please get in touch with us.

“Our thoughts remain very much with Taylor’s family, who continue to be updated and supported by specially-trained officers.

“We are grateful to the public for their significant support regarding this matter.

“We are aware of continued speculation on social media and would remind people to avoid sharing any unconfirmed information online as this makes the investigation more challenging.”

Taylor is around 5ft 8ins tall, of muscular build, with dark brown hair and a moustache. He was last seen wearing a bright blue fitted top, jeans and bright blue Nike shoes.

Taylor’s mum Zoe said: “Taylor, I am absolutely desperate for you to come home. I love you so much and I am worried sick about you.

“You are not in trouble. Please reach out to someone. We are all waiting for you with open arms.”

Taylor’s dad Alex added: “If there is anything anyone knows, please come forward. Taylor is a loving, loyal and special lad and we can’t wait to have him home again.”

If you have information that is urgent, please phone 999, or in less pressing circumstances please consider using 101, quoting reference number 50260117084.

High winds force Bideford Fair delay as traders back new August date

Devon Today
-
0
High winds force Bideford Fair delay as traders back new August date

Sometimes the weather has the final say — and for Lucy Lowe, organiser of Bideford Fair, a forecast of strong winds has forced a difficult last-minute decision to postpone the event despite months of planning and preparation.

The fair has been postponed after weather forecasts changed significantly during the week, with conditions initially appearing to improve before deteriorating sharply in the final 24 hours.

By Thursday evening, weather models were consistently predicting wind gusts of up to 45mph throughout Saturday, prompting concerns about safety at the outdoor event.

Lucy said: “While rain is something most outdoor events can work around, strong winds present a very different challenge. Gazebos, signage, displays and equipment can quickly become safety hazards in these conditions, putting traders, volunteers and visitors at risk.”

Following a meeting on Thursday evening, organisers decided to postpone the event.

Lucy said: “It is not a decision we have taken lightly.”

She highlighted the extensive work that had gone into preparing for the fair, including months of planning, risk assessments, bookings, marketing, logistics and coordination.

Traders had prepared stock, volunteers had committed their time and many visitors had already made plans to attend.

Lucy said postponing an event involved far more than selecting another date, with traders, suppliers, local media outlets and visitors all needing to be informed at short notice.

She added: “We know many people will be disappointed. We are disappointed too.”

The statement said the event was intended to bring people together, support local businesses and create opportunities for the community to connect, making the disruption caused by the weather particularly frustrating.

However, Lucy stressed that safety had to remain the priority.

She said: “While nobody can control the weather, we can control the decisions we make in response to it. We firmly believe that postponing the event is the right decision and the responsible one.”

The fair is now expected to take place on Saturday, August 8, with organisers reporting positive responses from traders keen to attend on the revised date.

Lucy thanked supporters for their patience and understanding during what she described as a challenging few days.

She added: “The messages of encouragement we have received have reminded us exactly why these events are so important.”

Looking ahead to the rescheduled event, she said organisers were looking forward to welcoming visitors, traders and the wider community in August.

She concluded: “Sometimes the weather wins. This time, we’ll simply come back stronger in August.”

Stranger’s kindness ends in horror as robber launches savage attack

Devon and Cornwall Police
-
0
Stranger’s kindness ends in horror as robber launches savage attack

A man has been jailed for attacking a complete stranger making his way home after a night out and stealing his belongings.

David Gibbs subjected the victim to a brutal and unprovoked attack on the Tarka Trial, between Barnstaple and Chivenor on 30 September 2023.

Gibbs, 58, of no fixed abode, appeared at Exeter Crown Court on Wednesday 3 June 2026 after pleading guilty to robbery

Gibbs was sentenced to 56 months in prison.

Gibbs’ co-defendant, 39-year-old Francis Geary was previously sentenced to 30 months in prison in relation to the incident.

The court heard how the victim had been on a night out in Barnstaple but found himself stranded at a petrol station having got out of a taxi.

As the taxi left the victim started to walk towards Braunton along the A361.

Along the way he met Gibbs and Geary and the three struck up a conversation.

Whilst walking together, suddenly and without warning the victim received multiple punches and kicks to the head causing him to fall to the ground.

During this attack and whilst the victim was on the floor, Gibbs and Geary stole property belonging to the victim, including a mobile phone, wallet, tobacco and cigarettes before leaving the injured victim.

The victim was able to flag down a passing vehicle having been left with a nasty cut above the eye that required hospital treatment. Police were informed.

Enquiries identified Gibbs and Geary who were soon arrested.

Detective Constable James Punter said: “This was a cowardly and brutal attack on an entirely innocent victim as he attempted to get home after a night out.

“David Gibbs did not know the victim but launched a flurry of punches and kicks before stealing his belongings.

“Gibbs and his co-defendant were soon identified and arrested.

“Such violence has no place in our community, and we will continue to arrest and bring to justice anybody who thinks it is acceptable to behave in such a way.”

Chainsaws halted as Plymouth council saves two disputed Armada Way trees

Plymouth City Council
-
0
Chainsaws halted as Plymouth council saves two disputed Armada Way trees

Following a consultation looking at the possible removal of three Laburnum trees on Armada Way, two will now be retained and only one that directly hangs over the toddlers play area will be removed.

Earlier this year we launched a consultation about the trees as their toxic nature near a new playground led officers to recommend removing all three trees to stop children eating the seeds, which look like peas, from the pods.

Following feedback from members of the public and a further risk assessment of the approach, cabinet members have now decided that two Laburnums which lean over the Mayflower Street pavement rather than the play area can stay, with the Council’s street cleaning team instructed to remove any pods, leaves of bark that stray into the street. They will also trim the remaining two trees to further reduce the risk of leaves and pods from falling near the play area. They will also monitor the site.

Councillor Mark Lowry, Cabinet Member for Organisational Efficiency, said: “This was a very constructive exercise and we would like to thank the 107 people who commented. We think we have reached a sensible and precautionary approach to the trees and people’s safety.

“Removing the tree that directly overhangs the play area reduces the risk. The right thing to do is to retain the two trees which present a much lower risk of harm. We have also instructed our team to keep an eye on the situation.”

The report says: “The commendation is to remove the Laburnum facing directly into the play area as this presents the most significant and realistic risk. The remaining two Laburnum trees pose a lower risk due to their physical separation from the play area, overhanging footway areas on Mayflower Street where the risk of being picked up by children is reduced.”

The report adds that the dense surrounding of underplanting of ferns and wood rush on the raised bed has further reduced the likelihood of toddlers straying into this section to play. The play area is also separated by a hooped fence further preventing toddlers from going on to the bed.

The consultation set out options and the pros and cons of each. They included:

• Retain and monitor

• Prune

• Remove and replant (same site)

• Translocate

• Remove and provide offset planting nearby. Provide enhanced landscaping at the location of the trees.

In total there were 107 responses in the consultation and 99 of those were from inside Plymouth administrative boundaries. Of these 30 (28 per cent) supported removing the trees but 77 ( 72 per cent) were in favour of keeping them.

To read the comments and the responses visit here https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/armada-way-20260001

1...101112...111Page 11 of 111