Four police dogs and their handlers are the latest highly trained officers to join Devon and Cornwall's canine unit.
The officers and their faithful companions have taken part in a passing out parade to mark the end of their training.
The group began their dog training in September and successfully passed an intensive two-day assessment with flying colours. The examination was carried out by PC Nick Dalrymple from Avon and Somerset Police.
Paul Glennon, Canine Development Officer and Course Instructor, said: “Following the assessment the assessor commented that this...
Government advisors have recommended the drug ketamine should be upgraded to a Class B drug.
Currently a Class C drug, the new classification could see illegal possession of ketamine carry a five year prison sentence.
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs is expected to pass the advice to the Government following new evidence on the long term affects of the drug.
The new evidence from the Advisory Council showed that the prolonged use of the drug causes severe damage to the bladder which may have to be removed by surgery in the most serious cases.
As the South West housing market continues to show signs of economic recovery commentators have warned of the danger of the market may “overheat”.
A new report by the National Housing Federation (NHF) argues that “whilst economic growth has returned to many areas, this has caused the already over-stretched housing market there to overheat.”
In their “Home Truths” report they argue that rising rent and house prices are forcing working people onto housing benefits at the rate of 310 people every day.
The NHF also claim that if house prices continue to rise there is...
High-speed fibre broadband will be available to 44,000 Devon and Somerset homes and businesses within four months.
Connecting Devon and Somerset today takes a major step forward in the £94 million project to bring superfast broadband to rural areas by announcing the next communities set to benefit from the programme.
By the end of March 2014, fibre broadband will be available to a further 31 communities*. This extends the number of homes and businesses that are able to benefit from the programme to 44,000.
Those communities include: Bishop’s Hull, Bridford, Chilton...
Investigators have found no evidence of mechanical fault in the police helicopter which crashed into a busy pub in Glasgow on Friday 29 November.
A preliminary report from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has found no evidence of engine or gearbox failure and had over 90 litres of fuel in its tank at the time of the crash.
Despite this investigators have also established that the police helicopter’s rotors were not turning at the point of impact.
The helicopter crashed into The Clutha in Glasgow at around 22:20 killing nine people including the three crew...
Devon's Luke Friend once again found himself in the bottom two of last night's X Factor - but is on his way to the final.
Luke, from Teignmouth, faced a tough sing-off against boy band Rough Copy choosing to perform Keane's Somewhere Only We Know, which was recently covered by Lily Allen and made famous by the new John Lewis Chistmas advert.
Commenting on both performances, judge Gary Barlow said: "It was an emotional sing off. I think you both did well. You've done amazingly well to get this far."
But Gary, as expected, put his own act (Rough Copy) through....
Time is running out for employer and training providers to nominate their apprentices into 2014’s Brathay Apprentice Challenge, with nominations closing on Friday13th December.
The Challenge has already seen entries flood in from organisations across England including NITP (National IT Partnership) a training partnership that delivers IT Apprenticeships, Southend Citizens Advice Bureau, Arqiva and last year’s winners Innovia Films from Cumbria who have entered to defend their title.
The Brathay Apprentice Challenge, which is supported by the National Apprenticeship Service...
A gorilla from Exmouth has won the people’s vote at Babbacombe Model Village.
The Torquay attraction hosted gorillas created by South West schools and colleges as part of Paignton Zoo’s Great Gorillas Project.
Carnaby, by Exmouth Community College, came first. Second place went to Andy, by Tower House School, and the third spot went jointly to Greg, by Torquay Academy, and Drake, by Brixham Church of England Primary School.
Carnaby, who spent the summer at the Phoenix Arts Centre in Exeter, was designed by 12-year old Jack Woodthorpe. The red double-decker bus idea...
West Country Beef and West Country Lamb will become protected names across Europe from next year onwards.
Meat produced in six south west counties including Devon will receive the same protected status as Jersey Royal Potatoes, Scottish Wild Salmon and Cornish Clotted Cream through a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).
The PGI means local goods will be given legal protection against imitation that will help them build a brand name without its reputation being damaged by inferior products.
Farmers and producers have welcomed the news which will see West Country...
Work on the Crediton Link Road is progressing well and is on schedule.
Devon County Council has confirmed that the scheme is on track to be completed by next Autumn and that earthwork operations will be temporarily suspended over the Christmas period, between 20 December and 6 January.
Since contractor South West Highways started construction in July, around 80% of the bulk earthworks have been carried out. Approximately 190,000 tonnes of excavated earth has been transported nearby to Dunscombe to create a water storage lagoon and to keep the A377 clean, the contractor is...
