crime

Devon and Cornwall police are reminding people during the busy run up to Christmas to keep their possessions safe from opportunist thieves. Officers will be working closely with partners in the community to roll out a number initiatives over the coming weeks.

People are advised to protect their Christmas purchases by storing them out of sight, so burglars aren’t tempted to steal them.

Detective Sergeant Chris Tapley from Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Burglary is a serious and invasive offence which has a devastating impact on victims. You can make a big difference...

Police in Exeter are so pleased with the results of Operation Slug that they are hoping to expand the operation.

The scheme has seen a 90% reduction in crime and allotment thefts using Smartwater, an invisible property-marking solution.

Launched across 26 of the city’s allotment sites, Op Slug has prevented burglaries to sheds and outbuildings. 1300 allotment holders have been protected, and their expensive garden tools from being stolen.

Each kit allows plot owners to mark their possessions with a unique forensic code that is traceable. This can then be used by the...

Police in Exeter are appealing for information following a racially aggravated incident in the City.

The incident occurred at around 4pm on Wednesday 21st October in Sidwell Street, Exeter, outside the Allstars Sports Bar.

A woman and her nine-year-old were walking in Sidwell Street when they were verbally abused by a woman. The abuse and comments made were regarded as both a racially and religiously motivated hate crime.

The suspect is described as being a white woman, aged in her 20’s, about 5’ 5” in height and of average build. She had short brown hair and was...

Devon and Cornwall Police have joined up the alcohol education charity Drinkaware to launch a pilot initiative in the region which aims to keep people safe at night.

Drinkaware in partnership with the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Tony Hogg, and the Safer partnerships have launched a six month pilot of Club Hosts at nightclubs across the peninsula.

The Club Hosts scheme started last week in Exeter, Plymouth, Torbay and Truro nightclubs and will work towards keeping young people safe and free from harassment on their nights out.

Drinkaware Club Hosts are...

Police have renewed their appeal for information into arson attacks which caused more than £30,000 damage at a Dawlish beach.

Eight beach huts at Coryton Cove were destroyed after being set alight in the early hours of Wednesday 16 September.

The fire spread and gutted a nearby boat while two benches were also wrecked by fire in a separate incident within a day of the attack.

Officers are continuing their enquiries into the arson attacks and appealing for the public’s help with the investigation.

PC Ray Faichney, neighbourhood beat Manager for Dawlish, said...

Police are appealing for information after a large amount of jewellery was stolen during a burglary in Woodbury, near Exeter.

The property on Cottles Lane was broken into sometime between 3.45pm on Wednesday 9 September and midnight on Thursday 10 September.

Six gold and silver necklaces, five gold rings and several pairs of earrings were taken by the offender(s).

May of the items are of sentimental value to the victim.

One of the stolen rings is similar to the one pictured, although it also has small emeralds either side of the main stone.

A...

A new research project will unite police and researchers to increase evidence-based knowledge, skills and problem solving approaches within policing.

The University of Exeter has secured nearly £250,000 from the Police Knowledge fund to foster stronger collaboration between the police force and researchers, and ensure practices are rooted in the best evidence of what is effective.

The collaboration is being supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care South West Peninsula (PenCLAHRC). It will...

The specialist police force for the rail network released crime figures for its Western sub-division* today (Wednesday, 19 August) alongside its national annual report, which showed crime had fallen across Britain’s railways for the eleventh consecutive year.

Superintendent Matt Allingham, Western sub-divisional commander, said: “Our job is to make sure all rail passengers can get to their destination safely, securely and on time. These figures show that the railways in the South West remain a low crime environment, despite increasing passenger numbers and major infrastructure...

Police are appealing for witnesses following an assault near the Guildhall Shopping Centre, Exeter at around 1.45am Sunday 2 August.

The victim was walking with his brother when he was confronted by a group of men, of which one punched the victim to the floor before running away from the scene in the direction of the Tesco Metro – he is believed to have been wearing a brown top.

The man sustained mouth and nose injuries in this unprovoked attack.

Police believe that there were a number of witnesses to the incident who could help with their enquiries, and that...

Police in South Devon are appealing for information following an attempted robbery.

The incident occurred at approximately 2.30 pm on Friday 24th July at the outreach post office in the village hall at Chudleigh Knighton.

A man entered the Post Office brandishing as a small knife, threatened the sub postmistress and demanded money.

A member of the public in the premises at the time, challenged the man and the offender consequently made off on a pedal cycle towards Bovey Tracey empty handed.

Thankfully no one was injured during the incident.

The...