Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards Service have warned that the outbreak of COVID-19 has seen an increase in scams and doorstep traders who are trying to exploit fear and uncertainty during this difficult time.
Individuals and communities are urged to keep safe and vigilant in the current environment and look out for scams in their neighbourhood, which often target elderly and vulnerable people.
How to stay safe:
If you need help, try and use people you know and trust. If you cannot do this, always ask the person for ID, preferably in the form of
With warm weather expected over the weekend and temperatures in some areas set to hit highs of 20C, councils are urging people to continue following the Government’s guidelines on social distancing.
Unless essential travel is required, households should continue to follow the Government’s advice and guidance to remain at home and help to minimise the risk of spreading coronavirus.
The Local Government Association, which represents councils across England and Wales, says it is vital that people avoid taking any unnecessary risks with the nation playing a vital role in...
Jack Maunder is the latest name to commit his future to the Exeter Chiefs, agreeing terms on a new deal with the current Gallagher Premiership league leaders.
Just days after fellow England internationals Ben Moon and Harry Williams said they were staying put at the Devon club on new contracts, the 22-year-old scrum-half has himself followed suit in signing on with Rob Baxter’s squad.
“Obviously, I’m very happy,” said Maunder. “It’s a club that myself and my family have had a big association with for a number of years. For a player like myself, the club ticks every box....
Teachers and staff in nearly 170 Devon schools are working over the Easter holidays to provide care and support for the children of key workers.
The Government ordered schools across the country to close their doors a week early for Easter because of the coronavirus crisis but asked staff to remain open for the children of key workers such as NHS staff, care workers, delivery drivers and those in the food industry.
Devon's schools have identified which pupils qualify and determined if their families wanted a place.
Medicine and Medical Imaging students from the University of Exeter Medical School have opted to graduate early so they can qualify as junior doctors and diagnostic radiographers to ease pressure on the NHS in the battle against COVID-19.
More than 50 final year students have opted to graduate early, meaning they will be able to support health trusts months earlier than their planned August start date. As foundation year doctors and radiologists, it is expected that they will free up more experienced colleagues to work on COVID-19 wards in the South West.
Waste collection crews in Exeter are receiving messages of goodwill from the people of the city, the man in charge of collections has revealed. He has also stressed how important it is for people to keep recycling during the crisis.
Crews collecting household waste and recycling for Exeter City Council have found Easter eggs left out for them as well as messages of thanks displayed in windows.
Speaking on BBC Radio Devon, Exeter City Council’s Cleansing and Fleet Manager, Simon Hill, said: “We’ve had some lovely feedback from our residents, some people have been clapping...
More than 100 organisations across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay have shared personal protective equipment (PPE) to strengthen the supplies available to frontline carers in the county.
Last week, NHS and social care leaders in Devon wrote to businesses and organisations across the county encouraging them to share PPE they don’t need to bolster the national supplies that are being delivered to the area.
Among the businesses to step forward is Theatre Royal Plymouth, which has given items including gloves, splash suits and facial protection.
National Express will fully suspend its national network of scheduled coach services with effect from midnight Sunday 5 April 2020.
Chris Hardy, managing director of National Express UK Coach: “We kept a limited coach network running to be able to help those individuals with essential travel needs but it is no longer viable to continue to do this.
“Passenger numbers continue to fall as the public rightly follow government advice to avoid non-essential travel. The decision to temporarily suspend all services is the right one based on the current unprecedented...
As coronavirus restricts our ability to travel and piles pressure on the health system, Marie Stopes UK is opening three new clinics in Devon offering women increased access to NHS-funded early medical abortion.
The leading safe abortion provider opened a new clinic in Exeter on April 1, with another to follow in Paignton in the coming months. It is also taking over an existing clinic in Plymouth, offering evening appointments giving women greater choice and flexibility in both the timing and location of their appointment.
Leading developer Barratt Developments Plc has this week donated more than a hundred items of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the NHS Royal Devon & Exeter hospital and social care workers to help in the fight against coronavirus.
Barratt Homes & David Wilson Homes Exeter have provided 60 high quality FSP3 masks, usually used on the house builders' construction sites, along with several large bottles of sanitiser to NHS Hospice Care at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital. They have delivered a further 60 masks plus sanitisers to Plymouth City Council's adult...
