A new taxi marshall scheme has been introduced in Exeter to help tackle crime and disorder, address anti-social behaviour and give those wishing to travel late at night an increased feeling of safety. The marshalls will manage taxi queues, stop queue-jumping, prevent assaults; both to taxi drivers and members of the public; and ensure that non-licensed taxis do not operate in the area. They will marshall both Fore Street and Sidwell Street taxi ranks each Saturday evening between midnight and 4am. Police inspector Andrew Webber said “This is an important initiative in preventing and...

The Met Office has issued an Amber warning for the South West, reporting that rain is expected to become heavy and prolonged tonight, persisting through much of Friday.

The Chief Forecaster reported that "Frontal bands pushing northeastwards during the latter part of Thursday and during Friday will find their progress slowed up by a blocking area of high pressure located northeast of the United Kingdom.

"This will result in the associated rain-bearing systems becoming slow-moving over southwestern parts of England and Wales leading to heavy and, at times, prolonged rainfall...

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has submitted a file of evidence in the Thomas Orchard investigation to the Crown Prosecution Service. This file of evidence relates specifically to one officer during Mr Orchard's arrest and the level of force used.

On 3 October 2012, Mr Orchard was restrained and arrested in Exeter on suspicion of a public order offence and was taken at about 11.10am by police van to custody at Heavitree Road Police Station.

At about 12.15 pm Mr Orchard was taken by ambulance to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, where he subsequently...

The hard work of a number of young people from Mid Devon is to be rewarded following their commitment to The Devon and Cornwall Police Family Swimming and Life Saving Club. The Heritage Award Bronze Medallion is in recognition for their work over the last 12 months in teaching and life saving up to competition level, with many will now progressing through to the Survive and Save programme. The young people come mainly from schools in the Mid Devon area who are able to use the extra activities to assess the pupils against GCSE achievements. Acting Inspector Steve Selley from the police...

Update 4pm: The earlier collision between the Exeter to London Paddington train is causing disruption between Taunton and Castle Cary. The line has reopened and trains are able to run, however, there may be delays of up to 30 minutes to journeys between Taunton and Westbury. These delays will continue until approximately 16:30.

Update: Senior Fire Commander at the scene, Group Manager Paul Cregan, said: "This incident was a significant challenge causing a number of dangerous and difficult circumstances for our Fire & Rescue crews. The train struck the vehicle and then carried...

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter insists his squad for next season is taking shape nicely after another three more players committed their futures to the Devon club. Prop Alex Brown has agreed a new two-year deal with the Aviva Premiership club, whilst fellow forwards Dave Ewers and Tom Cowan-Dickie have each penned terms on new one-year deals. The news is yet another boost to Baxter, who has made no secret of his desire to hold on to the club's crop of young stock. "We like to reward guys that take opportunities and who do well for us and these three guys are all in that category,"...

I am a young woman in her mid teens who loves all things cake! Now, who doesn’t love a good cake? Whether you are just a cake eater or whether you are like me and love to bake your own, I hope you will read my cake-filled blog.

I have been baking from a young age. I can remember being stood on a chair in my grandmother’s kitchen helping her with everything from a Victoria sponge to a sumptuous chocolate cake.

I used to be given my wooden spoon and my apron and await instructions. My job was always the beating, whisking and the mixing. Now after all of the beating and the...

An independent report that examines the impact of the Government’s reform of the welfare system will be presented to Devon County Council’s Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee tomorrow, Thursday 21 March.

The Committee’s Task Group, which took first-hand evidence from a range of sources, concludes that while the Government’s aim, to encourage people of working age into employment and reduce dependency on benefits, is widely accepted, the changes as they’re implemented will have consequences, not just for those affected, but also on local authorities, voluntary sector...

Two beautiful Devon beaches, Mansands and Scabbacombe near Brixham and Kingswear, are looking worse for wear as a result of the recent poor weather conditions.

The National Trust English Riviera rangers who care for this stretch of coast and countryside are holding a beach clean to tidy them up. As the saying goes, many hands make light work, so why not come and join in?

Local National Trust ranger Tim Bumby explains: ‘Due to recent storms and strong easterly winds there is a lot of rubbish and debris, such as fishing nets and rope, lying on the beaches. Because of this we...