More families to benefit from free school meals from September

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• Police welcome new students

  Devon & Cornwall Police neighbourhood policing teams, working alongside university welfare teams and street marshals, will be carrying out patrols in popular nightlife spots during fresher’s welcome weeks to make sure thousands of new and returning students feel safe while out and about in the evenings.

• Appeal for witnesses after serious A30 collision near Yarcombe

  Police are appealing for witness and information following a serious road traffic collision that occurred on 31 August at around 1pm on the A30 near Yarcombe.

• Sewage spill in Exmouth renews focus on resilience

  A spill of partially treated sewage in Exmouth has renewed the focus on the resilience of the town’s sewer system.

• Devon Truck Show gets a green light for 2027 in spite of concerns

  The organisers of the Devon Truck Show are revving up their plans for 2027 early after securing permission for live music and alcohol sales.

• Anger over ‘secret’ body that decides on speed limit reductions

  Critics have expressed anger about a body that decides whether speed limits on Devon roads should be reduced because of their claim the process is “secret”.

• Chief Constable to lead police force for a further two years

  Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Alison Hernandez, has confirmed that Chief Constable James Vaughan has agreed to remain in role ensuring stable leadership of Devon & Cornwall Police until August 2028.

• New figures highlight ongoing Meningitis B risk for students

  Young adults, particularly university students, remain at increased risk from meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia, with new figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showing that Meningitis B (MenB) was responsible for 97% of invasive meningococcal disease cases in 15 to 24-year-olds (93 of 96 cases) in England during 2025 to 2026.

• Police warn drivers to plan ahead and not be tempted to drink and drive

  Ten drivers suspected of drink driving have been arrested following a weekend of enforcement activity.

• Devon council seeks further clarification from government before taking a decision to issue proceedings

  Devon County Council will defer a decision to issue judicial review proceedings in order to seek further clarification from government.

• Walk this way as Exeter prepares for first ever walking festival

  Exeter is tying up its laces for the city’s first ever walking festival.

• Connect to Work presents free online sessions on inclusive employment

  A six-week series of free online sessions about inclusive employment will get underway next week as part of Devon’s Connect to Work programme.

• Projected £88m special needs overspend highlights bailout urgency

  A predicted overspend of £88 million just this year in Devon’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) service highlights the urgency of anticipated national reforms, it has been claimed.

• Quarry dust pressure leads to monitoring pledge

  Pressure over dust from quarries and its impact on residents has led to a pledge from Devon’s largest council to work out who should be monitoring it.

• Manipulative and violent man jailed for terrifying attacks on women

  A manipulative and violent man has been jailed for more than seven years after subjecting two women to terrifying serious assaults which left them fearing for their lives, and sending multiple women sexually explicit images.

• Cranbrook Country Park Wins BALI Award for Nature Conservation & Biodiversity Enhancement

  Cranbrook Country Park and Open Spaces have secured a top honour at the BALI National Landscape Awards 2026, taking home the trophy in the “Nature Conservation & Biodiversity Enhancement” category.

• South West communities asked to help shape energy future

  From new homes and businesses to cleaner transport and industry, electricity is becoming increasingly important to the future of communities across the South West.