Devon and Cornwall Police are urging motorists and garage owners to be vigilant following a spate of catalytic converter thefts. Catalytic converters are used to decrease air pollution by converting toxic exhaust emissions into non-toxic substances. The average converter contains one to two grams of platinum, palladium and rhodium, making them a target for thieves who can then attempt to sell these high value materials to scrap metal merchants. A steep rise in metal costs over recent years has led to significant increases in thefts of catalytic converters across the UK. In Devon and...
Police are investigating the theft of over £1,000 of charity money stolen from a Hospice charity fundraiser in Ilfracombe last Wednesday (18th December).
The money- thought to total £1,130- was stolen sometime between 8:45pm and 9:30pm, during the interval of a well attended Charity Bingo event in Combe Martin Village hall.
The money was taken from a tin on the hall’s stage at an event attended by over 150 people.
Police are asking that any witnesses or anyone who knows anything about the crime contact 101 quoting police reference CI/13/1457 or alternatively call...
Exmouth police are reminding residents in the town to keep their windows and doors locked at all times, even when inside their homes.
In the last month there has been an increase in burglaries at urban areas in Exmouth that have occurred overnight, while the occupants are upstairs sleeping.
Entry has been gained by ground floor doors that have been left unlocked, and various small items such as alcohol, cash and small electrical goods have been stolen.
A police spokesperson said: “It is particularly important for residents to keep their homes secure in the run up to...
Update 24 October: Police confirmed today that they are no longer searching for the individuals in the photo as the suspects have been identified.
22 October: Police need help in identifying a man and woman following a theft from a supermarket in Newton Abbot.
On 6 October 2013 shortly before 3.30pm a customer requested £50 cash back from one of the self service checkouts at the Asda store in Highweek Street.
The customer picked up his shopping and walked away forgetting the cash. When he returned shortly afterwards the cash had been taken.
Cyclists have the chance to find out more about bike security at two police events in Exeter. Local officers are holding two bike marking events to encourage cyclists to mark, register and lock their bikes. They take place at:
Exeter Flowerpots Skatepark on Saturday 19 October 2013 between 2pm and 4pm.
Waitrose car park, Gladstone Road, Exeter on Thursday 24 October 2013 between 3pm and 5pm.
Officers will provide advice on how to mark, register and lock bikes to help prevent thefts. Cycle marking kits from www.bikeregister.com will be...
Police in Exeter are appealing for information to identify three rings, which they believe have been stolen. The rings were seized two weeks ago and are suspected to have been stolen from a burglary, probably within the last three months. It might well be that the loser is unaware that their jewellery has been stolen. The rings are fairly distinctive and appear to be quite old – probably belonging to the same person. All have a gold band and are set with diamond stones of some description.
Police are keen to hear from anyone who recognises these rings and ask that they contact them...
Police investigating the theft of two mid-15th century medieval panels from a Devon church are appealing for information nationally. Police believe the panels (pictured) were taken from The Holy Trinity Church in Torbryan, Newton Abbot sometime between Friday 2 August and Friday 9 August. A third panel was also damaged. According to the Churches Conservation Trust the Torbryan screen is one of the most important examples of its kind in the country and is of national interest. The concern is that the panels could be resold and even exported internationally. Even though some of the panels...
A 17-year-old boy from Exmouth has been arrested on suspicion of burglary, theft, arson and criminal damage following a fire at a property in Kay Close, Exmouth on Wednesday 7 August. No-one was in the property at the time.
The teenager has been released on police bail until 5 November, to appear at Heavitree Road police station.
New figures from leading rural insurer NFU Mutual reveal rural crime in the South West totalled an estimated £780,000 in 2012, while the UK-wide cost of ‘agri-crime’ fell by 20% to an estimated £42.3 million (£52.7m in 2011). The figures, based on claims data, have been released to coincide with the publication of the annual NFU Mutual Rural Crime Survey. Unlike other crime reports, the insurer’s includes claims for crimes against homes, farms, commercial premises and vehicles. Machinery tops the thieves’ wish list in the Devon and Cornwall while tools and quad bikes have also proved...
Police are appealing for witnesses after a 94-year-old woman had her handbag stolen in a Tiverton supermarket.
The woman visited the café at Morrisons between 6.15pm and 6.30pm on Friday evening (26 July) and placed her handbag on the floor next to her chair. She heard a noise behind her and when she looked down her handbag had gone. The red handbag contained cash, various cards and a Nokia mobile phone. The victim, who is from Buckinghamshire, was in the area to visit family and had stopped briefly at the café. Police are appealing for witnesses and are particularly keen to speak...
