A popular curry house is entering a new chapter under fresh management, with its new owner promising continuity for customers while building on the restaurant’s reputation.
Mumbai Kitchen in Tiverton is now operating under new ownership, with restaurateur Jamal Uddin Ahmed taking over the day-to-day running of the business.
Jamal said he officially began running the restaurant last week and is currently working to establish the new operation.
He said: “I have been running the restaurant since last week. At this minute, Maroof is here to help me for a short while, but he will make his way. He’s just helping me set up the new business.”
Jamal brings previous experience in the restaurant trade, having run Masala in Barnstaple around ten years ago. He also currently runs a takeaway in Taunton called Indian Kitchen.
Jamal at Mumbai Kitchen
He added that he would now be overseeing the restaurant following a challenging period for the business.
Jamal said: “The restaurant has suffered in recent months with a lot of stuff, which I don’t need to go into details about, but from now on I’ll be managing Mumbai Kitchen.”
Long-serving team member Maroof will continue supporting the restaurant during the transition period.
Jamal said: “Maroof will support me through this process, and he will still be about to look after the customers.
“He’s been here a long time and built a reputation with his customers, so helping me out until he moves on.
“The food and service will still be of a high standard.”
He added: “Marof is not so well, so he needs a break and not to be working seven days a week, so it’ll be nice for him as well.”
The new owner also confirmed plans to apply for a new alcohol licence for the premises.
The move follows a previous decision by Mid Devon District Council’s licensing committee to revoke the restaurant’s alcohol licence after immigration officials reported finding individuals working at the premises without the correct paperwork allowing them to work in the UK.
During the hearing, the licence holder Joy Abraham told councillors he had handed day-to-day responsibility for licensing matters to Jamal Uddin Ahmed who has now taken ownership permanently.
A woman has told how her “world came crashing down” after part of the cottage she had called home for almost 25 years collapsed, leaving rooms unusable and her future uncertain.
Sally Williams said the gable end of her 200-year-old home, Orchard Cottage, gave way on Friday, February 20 after more than 50 days of continual rain.
In a statement shared as friends launched a fundraiser on her behalf, Sally said: “On Friday 20th February 2026, my world came crashing down.
“Not my entire world, but my home of very nearly 25 years. Orchard Cottage. My safe space.”
She said the cottage’s cob walls had “absorbed as much moisture as they could bear, without the opportunity for evaporation on dry days”, before “the gable end of the cottage collapsed into a heap”.
Sally added that nobody was hurt in the collapse. She said: “I’m pleased to say none of us were injured, and we have been so touched by the outpouring of offers of help, food parcels, alternative accommodation etc.
“Thank you.”
She said a local builder acted quickly to clear the rubble, allowing scaffolding to be put up within a couple of days. The property has since been propped and sheeted in an effort to keep out the weather and prevent further damage.
According to Sally, the family has lost use of Ellie’s room, the family bathroom and the dining room “for the foreseeable future”.
She also said her insurer, Aviva, had rejected her claim after what she described as weeks of worry and delays.
Sally said: “After 3 weeks of extreme worry, numerous telephone calls, emails and meetings and unnecessary delays on their part; yesterday my insurers, Aviva, dismissed my claim.
“They cite a number of reasons – it didn’t happen during a named storm: the wind speed wasn’t in excess of 55 mph, and various other technicalities.”
She said the property suffered further damage in the early hours of Friday, March 13, when wind and rain brought down more rubble and caused the remaining chimney stack to collapse.
Sally said: “I am waiting for advice on the next steps to preserve what’s left of the building.
“I am of course devastated, and trying to process how on earth I can move forward from here.”
She is now asking for recommendations for specialists including surveyors, insurance experts and structural engineers.
Sally said: “If you know any experts in this field – surveyors, insurance experts, structural engineers etc I’d be grateful for recommendations.
“Thank you again for all your messages and offers of help and support. We’re truly grateful.
“Please forgive me though if I don’t respond to messages. I’m utterly exhausted, but will endeavour to provide updates here when I can.”
Friends in Exminster have now launched an online fundraiser to support Sally. Donations can be made via https://gofund.me/c060992e5
A gentle swirl of incense drifts through the air as customers browse shelves lined with crystals, candles and handcrafted pieces. Step inside the premises run by Daniel Neale and Adam Neale on Tiverton’s Bampton Street and it quickly becomes clear this is not a conventional retail space. The couple have built something closer to a meeting place – a calm, reflective environment where conversation, spirituality and community sit alongside the crystals and curiosities for sale.
Daniel Neale, 42, and Adam Neale, 44, are the owners of Dan Rox Crystals and Stones, a business rooted in spiritual practice and a long-standing fascination with the natural world. Recently, they expanded next door with the opening of ThreadzRox&Broomsticks, a bohemian clothing boutique designed to complement the crystal shop and the lifestyle that surrounds it. Together, the two spaces form what the couple describe as a hub for people with shared interests and beliefs.
Their journey to Tiverton began in relatively humble fashion. Back in 2015, Daniel started selling crystals online, gradually building a small business from scratch. There was no van or shopfront in those early days – just determination and a willingness to travel.
“We began selling crystals online in 2015,” Daniel says. “After that we started attending events and festivals with a stall. At the time we didn’t even have a car, so we were travelling everywhere by train and public transport with suitcases and trolleys full of crystals. It was a bit like Del Boy and Rodney.”
They held a ribbon cutting after a complete overhaul in 2025
The couple were based in Exeter and travelled extensively across the South West to holistic fairs and spiritual gatherings. Some of the events took them far beyond Devon.
“We went all over the place,” Daniel recalls. “We even travelled to Birmingham NEC and London Olympia with everything packed into suitcases.”
Despite the logistical challenges, those years helped them establish a following and connect with a community that shared their interests.
For Daniel, crystals were never simply a business idea. His connection to spirituality stretches back many years and grew naturally from a lifelong interest in nature and the environment.
“I’ve always been drawn to spirituality,” he explains. “Nature, trees, wildlife – that’s always been a big part of my life. Crystals were always around in that world, along with things like tarot.”
A move to Cornwall proved particularly influential. In 2007, Daniel relocated to Newquay, where he began exploring his spiritual interests in greater depth.
“That move really opened things up for me,” he says. “I started connecting much more strongly with crystals and decided to study them properly.”
Inside the shop
He enrolled on a 20-week crystal awareness course which eventually led to a three-year diploma in crystal studies.
“That training gave me a really solid understanding of crystals and how they’re used,” Daniel says. “Once I had that knowledge, it felt natural to start sharing it with others.”
Spirituality also played a central role in Daniel and Adam’s personal life together. Their wedding in 2016 reflected many of the beliefs that shape their business today.
“Our wedding was very much influenced by Wiccan and pagan traditions,” Daniel says. “Crystals were everywhere.”
Adam later followed Daniel’s path by undertaking the same three-year crystal training programme, turning the business into a shared passion.
For several years they continued trading primarily at festivals and holistic events. Opening a permanent shop, however, was not originally part of Daniel’s plan.
“Dan always used to say he didn’t want a shop,” Adam says. “He thought it would be far too much work.”
That changed during a week spent trading at Sidmouth Folk Festival. Unlike their usual events, the festival meant staying in one place for the duration.
“You set up once and you stay there for seven days,” Adam explains.
By the end of the week, Daniel had had a change of heart.
“He turned to me and said, ‘I think I want a shop.’”
For Daniel, the shift came down to something simple: the sense of community.
“At Sidmouth we were surrounded by the same traders all week,” he says. “You’d arrive each morning, say hello, chat with the same neighbours. I realised I really liked that feeling of community.”
Once the idea took hold, Tiverton quickly emerged as the right location. The couple had felt a connection with the town for some time.
“We’d almost moved to Tiverton a few years earlier,” Daniel explains.
When they began looking for premises, a listing appeared on Bampton Street through the local estate agents.
“We saw the shop come up and just thought, ‘let’s give it a go,’” Daniel says.
Dan Rox Crystals and Stones opened its doors on 27 November 2021 – and the response from local people exceeded expectations.
“From the moment we opened, the welcome was incredible,” Daniel says. “We hadn’t realised quite how strong the spiritual community in Tiverton was.”
Devon is often associated with places such as Totnes when it comes to alternative lifestyles and spirituality. Yet Daniel believes Tiverton has its own distinct atmosphere.
“There’s a really special energy here,” he says. “A lot of people talk about water flowing beneath the town, keeping the energy moving so it never becomes stagnant.”
Whether folklore or fact, the couple say the warmth of the local community has been undeniable.
“When we first arrived we wondered how people might react,” Daniel admits. “After all, we were opening the only spiritual shop in town.”
Instead of scepticism, they found curiosity and enthusiasm.
That support helped the shop evolve into something far more interactive than a typical retail space. Alongside selling crystals and spiritual items, the couple began hosting regular gatherings and workshops.
“We run evening events, weekend workshops and different spiritual circles,” Daniel says.
Among them is the Crone Club, a group that has met regularly since the shop first opened.
“They’ve been with us since 2021,” Daniel says. “They’ve supported us all the way through.”
Other groups soon followed, including Dragon Club and Sirens, each offering small gatherings where participants explore spiritual practices together.
Drumming circles, meditation evenings and chakra workshops are now regular features of the calendar.
“When we first opened we only had two events — the full moon and the half moon gatherings,” Adam says. “But more and more people started coming along, and that naturally led to new ideas.”
Those ideas quickly filled up.
“We’d put something out there and it would be snapped up,” Adam says. “So we’ve just gone with it.”
Over time, the shop’s success encouraged the couple to expand. The neighbouring premises had changed tenants several times, and Adam had long felt it could house something that complemented their existing business.
“We always thought it would make a great boho clothing boutique,” he says.
When the space became available once again, they decided to take the leap.
“We renovated our original shop and then prepared the unit next door,” Adam says.
ThreadzRox&Broomsticks
ThreadzRox&Broomsticks opened soon afterwards, offering clothing and accessories that align with the same spiritual and alternative aesthetic.
Despite the retail element, both men insist the heart of what they do lies in community rather than commerce.
“It’s really more of a spiritual community than a shop,” Adam says.
Daniel agrees, though he prefers a slightly different description.
“I tend to call it a spiritual hub,” he says.
At the back of the premises is a relaxed space where visitors can sit, chat, or quietly reflect.
“People often come in just to talk,” Daniel says. “We might sit down with a coffee, pull a few tarot cards and have a conversation.”
Many visitors say they notice a shift in atmosphere the moment they step inside.
“We often hear people say they feel a weight lifted from their shoulders,” Daniel says. “There’s music playing, incense burning — it’s a completely different environment from most shops.”
Occasionally, that calm atmosphere prompts emotional releases.
“I’ve had people burst into tears in the shop,” Daniel says gently. “Sometimes people carry things around for a long time and they just need a place where they can let that go.”
The shop itself is filled with unusual items, including one particularly curious feature: a naturally preserved rook discovered by the roadside.
The rook which is on display
“It’s completely mummified,” Daniel explains. “The insects removed the flesh but the feathers remained attached to the bones.”
To ensure the feathers remained intact, the bird spent six months in the couple’s freezer before being placed in the shop.
“It’s become quite a talking point,” he says.
Alongside crystals and spiritual tools, many items on sale are created by the couple themselves. Their range includes handmade candles, wax melts, aura sprays and anointing oils.
“We also make handcrafted wands,” Adam adds. “They’re popular with people who practise Wiccan traditions.”
Local creativity plays a role too, with artwork by regional artists displayed throughout the space.
Beyond the shop walls, Daniel and Adam also organise a large mind, body and spirit show. Originally held in Tiverton, the event has grown so significantly that it has now moved to a larger venue in nearby Uffculme.
While their ventures continue to expand, the couple remain keenly aware that independent businesses rely heavily on local support.
“There are so many wonderful independent shops in Tiverton,” Daniel says. “But people don’t always realise what’s here.”
Daniel and Adam
Even after four years, they still meet residents who are surprised to discover their shop on Bampton Street.
“People often think the town stops at Market Walk,” Daniel says. “But there’s a whole stretch of independent businesses further up.”
Supporting those businesses, he believes, is vital to keeping the town centre alive.
“We all try to look after one another,” Daniel says. “That’s really important.”
For the Neales, Tiverton now feels firmly like home. The community they once encountered at festivals has found a permanent base, and the shop has become part of the town’s character.
“I think people here would be quite upset if we moved,” Daniel says.
After years of travelling from festival to festival with suitcases full of crystals, it seems the journey has finally come to rest – right where they want to be.
Children with special education needs are at the heart of bold new plans to build a brand new, replacement school in Plymouth – with the aim of creating additional local places that children need to learn, grow and thrive close to home.
At next week’s Cabinet meeting, an update will be provided on the council’s SEND Sufficiency Capital Programme and the work to meet rising demand and ensure children can access high quality specialist education without long journeys away from their families, friends and community.
The need could not be clearer. The number of children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) in Plymouth has risen sharply – from 2,756 in September 2024 to 3,654 in January 2026, an increase of 898 children in just 18 months. While most children with EHCPs are supported locally, 405 children and young people are currently educated outside the city, including 261 in independent special schools because local capacity simply doesn’t meet demand.
Councillor Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education and Schools, said: “Every child deserves the chance to learn in their own community, surrounded by the people who know and love them. This new school is exactly the kind of initiative required to meet the Government’s vision as set out in the White Paper- it will create vital specialist places, reduce travel for families, and ensure our children get the very best support right here at home. We’re determined to make this happen.”
The proposal being discussed at Cabinet next week includes progressing the mandate to build a new special school to replace Mill Ford School, ensuring modern facilities, expanded capacity and improved specialist provision for future generations.
The Council currently has £12.9 million remaining in high needs capital, but the cost of the new school is expected to exceed this, meaning securing additional capital funding is essential to deliver the project.
Councillor Cresswell added: “This is about ambition for Plymouth. It’s about giving every child the best start in life, where they are achieving and thriving, ensuring families feel supported, valued and heard. A new SEND school is a game changer and we are absolutely committed to delivering it.”
Next steps include designing the detailed proposal, confirming the site as part of the Mill Ford rebuild programme and bringing forward a full proposal.
The changes we are making to SEND provision in Plymouth marks a significant and exciting milestone for Plymouth’s SEND transformation and the delivery of the Government’s National SEND Reforms in the White Paper published last month, putting children first and building the strong, inclusive education system the City needs for the future.
Main work on the long-awaited Charlton Road junction improvement scheme in Crownhill is planned to get under way in mid-April, following a decision to award the construction contract.
The scheme will reinstate the right turn from Tavistock Road into Charlton Road (which was closed during construction of the Derriford Transport Scheme), via a new signalised junction.
The junction had been a known accident hotspot and there were concerns about safety there for a number of years. A scheme was therefore developed to reopen the turning under signal control but work, which was originally due to get under way in 2020, faced several setbacks.
While initial preparations were carried out (including widening to improve the visibility of the entry to and exit from Charlton Road), other complications then came to light. They include the need to lower a large gas main in the central reservation to create a longer right-turn lane and provide adequate room for vehicles to wait at the new signals (as well as a safe stopping distance).
A construction programme and traffic management plan that will allow us to close Charlton Road at the Tavistock Road end to traffic (reducing the impact on Tavistock Road and the overall time for the work), while also ensuring residents can get to and from their homes as easily as possible, have now been agreed.
Enabling works are scheduled to begin on Monday 16 March, starting with the construction of a site compound for the contractor on William Prance Road. This will be followed by work to create a temporary ‘vehicles only’ link between Charlton Road and Colborne Road to help residents get in and out, via William Prance Road.
This temporary access will make use of a new walking and cycling link currently being constructed by Persimmon Homes. For safety reasons it will be for vehicles only during the works but once they are complete it will be closed again to traffic.
The main work is expected to start in mid-May and take six to eight months, during which time the Tavistock Road end of Charlton Road will be closed.
Two lanes will be maintained in both directions on Tavistock Road throughout, although bus lane restrictions will be suspended on the inbound side (meaning the bus lane will be open to all vehicles), from just after William Prance Road to just before the Plumer Road slip. On the outbound side, the slip lane for William Prance Road will be shortened slightly (but remain open).
These measures will enable the team to safely construct the new right turn slip lane to Charlton Road and install the new signals on Tavistock Road (southbound) and Charlton Road.
Temporary speed limit changes that were originally expected on Tavistock Road are no longer required.
Councillor John Stephens, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said: “The residents of Charlton Road have been waiting a number of years for the turning into their road to be reopened and will be relieved to know we finally have a start date for these improvement works.
“When complete, the scheme will reinstate direct vehicle access into and out of their neighbourhood.
“We are pleased to have been able to negotiate the temporary vehicle link at the other end of Charlton Road, which will enable us to close the Tavistock Road end and complete the works in a shorter timeframe.”
The decision to award the construction contract to South West Highways and its parent company Taylor Woodrow was taken today and may be subject to call-in. It can be viewed on our decisions page.
Planning consent for the temporary vehicle link between Charlton Road and Colborne Road was granted this week and can be viewed on our planning applications page (reference 26/00044/FUL).
Almost a hundred people were arrested across the South West last week after police forces joined together to target illegal drugs and child criminal exploitation.
Operation Scorpion brings together the five South West police forces; Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Devon & Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, alongside their respective Offices of Police and Crime Commissioners, the British Transport Police, and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SW ROCU). By pooling resources, the partnership aims to disrupt drug supply and create a hostile environment for organised crime groups operating in the region. It coincided with a national week of intensification on county lines.
During a coordinated week of action, officers and staff worked jointly to arrest suspected dealers, seize drugs and weapons, and safeguard vulnerable people. Policing Minister Sarah Jones MP also joined officers on a warrant in Trowbridge on Wednesday 4 March to see firsthand how South West forces are tackling County Lines activity.
A range of enforcement activity was carried out across the week, including arrest and search warrants, targeted vehicle stops, and the use of drones to track suspected offenders. Vulnerable individuals were also identified and given details of support services after their numbers were found on seized phones. Officers and police staff also engaged with children and adults to raise awareness of exploitation of vulnerable people by criminal gangs.
In total, across the South West:
59 people were safeguarded
92 people were arrested
£54915 cash was seized
More than £446,000 worth of drugs were seized
29 weapons seized including a knuckleduster, two batons and 6 imitation firearms
Nationally the week of action on county lines was the most successful to date with more than 2,100 people arrested, 1,348 people safeguarded, 335 county lines seized and more than 600 weapons seized.
In Devon & Cornwall:
17 people were safeguarded (14 adults, 3 under 18)
17 people were arrested
14 cuckooed addresses were visited – where criminals take over someone’s home to use it as a base for crime
1.5g of crack seized
0.15g heroin seized
2239.8g cocaine seized
50g of cannabis resin seized
£12,013 in cash seized
7 weapons seized – including 4 air weapons, 1 knuckleduster and 1 telescopic baton
Additionally Devon & Cornwall Police Officers and Youth Engagement Team visited schools and delivered awareness presentations alongside Designated Safeguarding Leads about county lines and exploitation to children in 9 schools across Cornwall, and local police teams conducted high visibility patrols and engaged with the public in areas known for drug activity in Plymouth, Exeter and Camborne.
An awareness campaign coordinated across the region ran across social media, with targeted TikTok and Snapchat adverts designed to reach young people where they spend much of their time; online.
Detective Chief Superintendent Sheon Sturland of Devon & Cornwall Police said: “Keeping communities in Devon and Cornwall safe by seizing harmful drugs, targeting suppliers, and disrupting county lines networks is our clear mission.
“Protecting vulnerable people exploited by criminals, especially children and young adults, remains at the heart of our work. If children go missing it’s a key indicator of child criminal exploitation, and the risk to them increases.
“We see the harm that drug related criminality brings to our communities, and so this work doesn’t end with one week of action. We will continue to take a robust, proactive approach to disrupting drug supply and tackling associated anti-social behaviour and exploitation..
“Devon and Cornwall and the wider South West is no place for drugs. You can help us and our partner agencies by reporting any suspicions or concerns..”
Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “I would like to thank members of the public who continue to report drug crime either via the police or anonymously via Crimestoppers. We don’t tolerate drugs in our region.
“Alongside the efforts of the police to disrupt organised criminal groups we also need to tackle the root causes of drug use. That’s why I am such an advocate of organisations that work to deliver effective treatment for those battling drug addiction and protect young people from exploitation. I would encourage anyone who is struggling with drug abuse, or knows someone who is, to reach out for support.”
These are some of the signs to look out for in a child’s behaviour that could indicate that they are being exploited.
often going missing from home or school and being found away from their normal area
unexplained money, clothes, designer wear, jewellery, gadgets or mobile phones
having multiple mobile phones
committing theft/shoplifting
relationships with older people
carrying weapons
significant emotional changes (like becoming angry or sad), or becoming fearful, withdrawn or isolated
traveling alone and at unusual times
Anyone with information about illegal drugs activity or who has concerns about a vulnerable child or adult should report it to the police. You can do this online at https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/ or by using the non-emergency 101 number. You should always call 999 in an emergency.
Alternatively, you can pass information completely anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year on 0800 555 111 or by using its untraceable online form here https://crimestoppers-uk.org/
A shoplifter who stole over £700 worth of goods in just under a month will now spend 34-weeks in prison.
Plymouth local Ross Dansie, aged 32, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to nine counts of shoplifting after admitting to stealing a range of goods including booze, household products and coffee.
Dansie appeared at Plymouth Magistrates Court on Monday 9 March where he was handed jail time for his spree of offending at Boots, M&S and Tesco between 29 January and 25 February.
PS Steve Dykes, from the local neighbourhood policing team, said: “It was clear to see the harm that Dansie’s prolific offending was causing, so I welcome this outcome from the courts.
“Shoplifting can have a profound impact on our communities, not only the financial impact on businesses, but also the impact that repeated behaviour like this can have on the wellbeing of employees.”
Dansie was previously handed a ten-week prison sentence, suspended for 12-months, in October 2025. This was taken into account during sentencing at court, where he was subsequently sentenced to an additional 24-weeks for the offences that took place between January – February this year, bringing his total jail time to 34 weeks.
Commenting on the importance of reporting, PS Dykes added: “I would urge business impacted by shoplifting or anyone who witnesses it to please report it.
“Your information is key in helping us to build evidence against prolific offenders so that we can put them before the courts, just like in the case of Dansie.
“Together we can continue to create a safer Plymouth.”
The investigation was led by the Crime Management Investigation team (CMIT) and supported by local neighbourhood officers.
The importance of involving people in decisions about their care will be discussed at a free event at Torbay Hospital next month.
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Raju Ramesh is an advocate of shared decision making, which involves clinicians and patients working together to make important decisions about healthcare, balanced against the patient’s personal goals and preferences.
On Tuesday 28 April Mr Ramesh, who works at Torbay Hospital, will host Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust’s Medicine for Members’ event, sharing his experience of embedding patient choice at the heart of how he provides care in a career which has spanned nearly 40 years.
Mr Ramesh says: “Actively involving people in decisions about their care ensures they become partners in their treatment, rather than passive recipients. This approach asks patients, “What matters to you?” rather than “What is the matter with you?”
Shared decision making empowers people and increases engagement with their care, and evidence shows that when people participate in discussions about treatment options and care preferences, they are more likely to stick with the agreed plan and be less likely to regret decisions.
“Translating complex clinical pathways into clear, patient-facing information enables genuine shared decision-making and helps people to choose treatments that align with their values, expectations and stages of disease. When patients understand their choices, they make better decisions and move from being passive recipients to informed partners in their treatment journey.”
There will also be an opportunity to ask Raju questions about shared decision making, although he cannot answer queries about individuals and their care.
The event takes place from 5pm – 6pm in TREC, Torbay Hospital and will also be live-streamed, which you can join by clicking on this link: Medicine for Members April event.
It’s free to attend, but please email tsdft.foundationtrust@nhs.net to confirm your attendance if you are planning to join in person.
Medicine for Members is a free health talk covering a different topic and area of health each session. Hosted by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust’s clinical professionals, information is provided on specific conditions, treatments and available support services.
Governors will also be available to meet informally with any guests who wish to sign up to Foundation Trust Membership. Governors represent the interests of members, the public and our staff and they are really interested in meeting with you to hear your views on our organisation and our services.
We’d like to say a huge thank you to residents who took part in the first week of Plymouth’s brand new weekly food waste collections.
Thousands of households across parts of Plymstock, including Elburton, Hooe, Oreston and Turnchapel, as well as in Devonport, Keyham, Plympton, Southway, Tamerton Foliot and Whitleigh helped us get the service off to a really encouraging start.
As with all new things, there’s still some learning and fine tuning happening behind the scenes, but crews have reported brilliant participation across the areas visited so far.
Councillor Tom Briars-Delve, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Climate Change, said: “I want to say a huge, personal thank you to everyone in phase one who has put out their food waste this week.
“We’re still learning but it’s really great to see the number of people across communities who have been getting involved in this project.
“If you live in the first phase and you haven’t had achance to put your food waste caddy out, remember that the service is weekly and it’s not too late to start next week.”
As we move into week two, a couple of useful reminders:
Food waste is collected on the same day as your other waste, but by a separate vehicle, so if your caddy hasn’t been emptied at the same time as your bin, please leave it out
If for whatever reason we missed your food waste collection then sincere apologies. Please do log it so we can monitor rounds and continue improving the service as it beds in.
Devon & Cornwall Police’s Rural Affairs Sergeant, Julian Fry, has contributed his experience and expertise to new guidance making it easier for law enforcement agencies to detect and respond to heritage crime at sea. The new guidance was launched by Historic England and the University of Plymouth.
The new Common Enforcement Manual for Heritage Crime at Sea is a maritime crime-fighting aid produced by Historic England in partnership with the University of Plymouth’s school of law, humanities and social sciences.
The guidance includes comprehensive legal advice and protocols for the observation, investigation and interception of vessels suspected of being involved in criminal activity, and outlines necessary communication procedures between relevant organisations.
There are 57 nationally important protected shipwrecks around the coast of England, 21 of which are located off Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Wrecks lying on the seabed present very obvious challenges for those monitoring them, so if crime or suspicious activity is detected on a protected wreck it is crucial that those tasked with maritime enforcement are able to act swiftly.
While most divers abide by the law, an unscrupulous minority have removed material or failed to follow legal requirements, resulting in irreparable damage to several historic shipwreck sites.
Rural Affairs Officer, Sergeant Julian Fry is the Heritage Crime Tactical Lead for Devon & Cornwall Police, and National Police Tactical Lead for Operation Birdie which targets the illegal salvage or disturbance of protected wrecks.
Sgt Fry provided information for the policing section of the manual and attended the official launch of the Common Enforcement Manual for Heritage Crime at Sea, which took place at Historic England Head Office in London on 19 February.
He said, “The new Common Enforcement Manual will be a game-changer. It provides clear and easy-to-use guidance that will help to ensure our maritime heritage sites are properly protected.
“Last year, the HMS Coronation, which went down off Rame Head, Cornwall in 1691 – and was added to the Protection of Wrecks Act in 1978 – was subject to potential damage after a series of lobster pots were found on the wreck in Cornwall.
“Preservation of nationally important heritage sites is essential and this pioneering manual which brings together into one place the knowledge, skills and experience of those involved with enforcement in the maritime heritage crime sector will help us to extend the protection for underwater heritage sites for years to come.
“The guide will be shared with Police, Coastguard, Border Force, Ministry of Defence and other key partners; outlining powers available to them to safeguard maritime heritage, as well as steps they can take to enforce protection laws.”
Historic England hopes that this pioneering ‘one-stop-resource’ for maritime heritage crime will enable law enforcement agencies to act quickly in response to suspected heritage crime incidents.
Mark Harrison, Historic England’s Head of Heritage Crime, said: “Responding to heritage crime at sea requires swift action, clear procedures and the secure preservation of evidence.
“By strengthening awareness and coordination among the law enforcement agencies patrolling England’s waters, we are enhancing our collective ability to identify offenders, secure crime scenes, and protect historic wreck sites. This sends a clear message that criminal activity will not be tolerated.”
The manual was developed by Associate Professor of Law Jason Lowther and Visiting Professor Mike Williams, from Plymouth University’s School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences, along with Beccy Austin, a senior consultant working for MSDS Marine.
They added: “The Common Enforcement Manual is an unprecedented piece of joined-up action. It has active support from key agencies including the police, government and fisheries bodies and marks a major milestone in the protection of our rich underwater cultural heritage.”
All protected wreck sites are mapped and highlighted on navigational charts, they are also on the National Heritage List for England (NHLE) which can be accessed here: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/
