Devon News

Sheep killed after being struck on Dartmoor train line

Train services in part of Devon have been disrupted after a sheep died when it was struck on the line.The livestock were reported on the track between Crediton and Okehampton on the Dartmoor Line just after 12:00 BST.Network Rail said one of the sheep had been struck and killed before engineers had been made aware the animals were on the single-track line.Great Western Railway said services Exeter Central and Okehampton via Exeter St Davids could be cancelled, delayed…

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Devon and Cornwall Police say disability hate crime under-reported

Devon and Cornwall Police say disability hate crime under-reported

Cameron Weldon andGeorge ThorpeSouth WestPA MediaDevon and Cornwall Police said it had seen an increase in the number of reports related to disability hate crimesDisability hate crime could still be under-reported despite an increase in the number of people coming forward, police have said.As part of National Hate Crime Awareness Week, which runs until Saturday, Devon and Cornwall Police said the number of offences involving a victim's disability in 2024-25 was 419, a 17% increase from the 358…

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Police drop investigation into Reform councillors in Devon

Police drop investigation into Reform councillors in Devon

A police investigation into allegations against Reform councillors and their election agent of overspending on election expenses has been dropped.Devon County Council members Neil Stevens, his brother Tony Stevens and their agent Rob Sheridan all faced claims of overspending in the May elections.The police launched an investigation in June after another Reform councillor, Ed Hill, reported his concerns to the authorities.Devon and Cornwall Police said no further action would be taken after the Stevens brothers and Mr Sheridan…

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Campaigners fight plans to reopen Devon ball clay pit

Campaigners fight plans to reopen Devon ball clay pit

BBCOne of the six lakes proposed to be removed under plans to reopen a quarryCampaigners have warned against plans to cut down a woodland as part of a move to reopen a ball clay pit. Clay pit operators Sibelco want to expand the Zitherixon quarry, located between Kingsteignton and Newton Abbot in Devon, to extract five million tonnes of ball clay over the next 50 years.The firm stopped extracting from it in 1995, but it said reserves of…

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Harvey Skinner: Exeter fly-half determined to prove doubters wrong

Harvey Skinner: Exeter fly-half determined to prove doubters wrong

Skinner is part of an exciting back-line at Exeter under the guidance of relatively new attack coach Dave Walder.Australia centre Len Ikitau is set to come into a side that includes England's Henry Slade and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and powerful winger Paul Brown-Bampoe. "We've got boys that can just produce magic from nothing, so it's making sure we're all on the same page," he said."We want to make make our brand of rugby a lot more exciting and we've…

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Sir David Attenborough ship visits Plymouth to restock

Sir David Attenborough ship visits Plymouth to restock

Scott Bingham andZhara SimpsonSouth WestBBCThe RRS Sir David Attenborough docked in Plymouth to restock supplies before heading to Antarctica A ship named after legendary broadcaster and writer Sir David Attenborough has stopped in Plymouth to take on supplies before heading to Antarctica. The Royal Navy said RRS Sir David Attenborough, which was almost named Boaty McBoatface after a public vote, described it as one of the "most advanced polar research ships in the world".The vessel visited His Majesty's…

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Application for new vintage arcade in Exeter put forward

Application for new vintage arcade in Exeter put forward

Guy HendersonLocal Democracy Reporting ServiceSupervideo/Exeter City CouncilA planning application has been put forward for an amusement arcade in Exeter City CentreA planning application for a new amusement arcade in Exeter has been submitted. Paignton-based company Supervideo Ltd, trading as Boneyard Exeter, said the arcade would feature vintage arcade games from the 1970s and 1990s. A spokesperson said it would feature titles which included Space Invaders and Pac-Man, alongside select modern games such as dance machines.It said there were…

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M5 reopens after lorry fire causes major delays in Devon

M5 reopens after lorry fire causes major delays in Devon

George Thorpe,Archie Farmer andZhara SimpsonSouth WestWatch: Dashcam footage of a lorry fire which closed part of the M5There has been disruption on the M5 after a lorry fire forced the closure of part of the road in Devon for several hours.The fire started on the northbound side of the motorway between junctions 30 and 29 in Exeter at about 11:35 BST, said Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.National Highways said the lorry was carrying 20 tonnes (2000kg)…

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Lorry fire on M5 near Exeter causes delays and long queues

Lorry fire on M5 near Exeter causes delays and long queues

A lorry fire has forced the closure of part of the M5 in Devon.The fire broke out on the northbound side of the motorway between junctions 30 and 29 in Exeter at about 11:35 BST, said Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.Firefighters issued a warning for residents and businesses near the scene to close their windows and doors due to the amount of smoke from the blaze.National Highways said the lorry was transporting batteries and domestic appliances…

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Major delays on M5 due to lorry fire

Major delays on M5 due to lorry fire

George ThorpeDevon andArchie FarmerDevonWatch: Dashcam footage of a lorry fire which closed part of the M5There has been disruption on the M5 after a lorry fire forced the closure of part of the road in Devon.The fire started on the northbound side of the motorway between junctions 30 and 29 in Exeter at about 11:35 BST, said Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.National Highways said the lorry was transporting batteries and domestic appliances with nine miles (14.48km)…

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North Devon human remains belonged to same man, police say

North Devon human remains belonged to same man, police say

Human remains found on two beaches in Devon have been identified as being the same man, police have said.An investigation was launched in May after remains appeared on Westward Ho! beach near Bideford and part of the coastline in Appledore on 22 May.Devon and Cornwall Police said both sets of remains had been identified and belonged to the same man. The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file for the coroner is being prepared. Source…

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Man seriously injured after group assault in Barnstaple

A man has been left with fractured ribs and a punctured lung after being "set upon by a group".The incident happened at about 01:05 BST on Saturday in Queen Street, Barnstaple, following a disturbance involving 12 to 14 young people, Devon and Cornwall Police said.Officers said a man in his early 20s was found outside Barum Takeaway with serious injuries and taken to hospital for treatment.Anyone who has information or video footage related to the attack has been…

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