West Country Exeter

Firefighters say a major fire in the centre of Exeter which took nearly 12 hours to get under control was most likely started by an "electrical fault".

15 crews were called to tackle the blaze at it's height, after smoke started billowing out of Richer Sounds basement.

The incident at the electrical store happened in July, with roads having to be closed and nearby residents evacuated. Luckily no one was seriously hurt.

There are major delays on the M5 in Devon after an accident involving a lorry.

The M5 northbound is closed due to accident investigation work between Junction 29 for Exeter and 28 for Cullompton. It's causing congestion all the way to the services at Junction 30.

It is expected to remain closed into the afternoon.

One lane is also closed southbound between Junction 28 for Cullompton and 29 for Exeter due to repairs to the central reservation following the accident

• Diversion for northbound traffic

Traffic is to leave the M5 at J29, head in to Exeter and turn right on to Ambassador Drive then the B3181 toward Cullompton and follow the solid circle diversion signs.

Police are asking the public to be vigilant after reports of a man impersonating a police officer in Exeter.

Devon and Cornwall Police have had reports that a man has been in the Beacon Heath area of Exeter attempting to gain entrance to properties claiming that he is a police officer.

The man isn’t wearing a uniform and is using a handwritten ID.

Description

• white man
• in his 40’s/50’s
• very short dark hair
• sometimes wearing a dark blue baseball cap
• stocky build
• around 5”8 tall

If you believe you have been approached by a person impersonating a police officer, please call 999.

Police are investigating a robbery at knifepoint which took place on Cowick Street in Exeter.

It happened at around 2:30 am on Sunday 28 August. A 25-year-old man was walking down an alleyway when he was approached by an unknown man.

The offender threatened the victim with a knife and walked him to a cash point at the Tesco Metro. The victim was forced to withdraw £50. The offender then took the bank card and withdrew a further £120, after which the victim managed to retrieve his bank card and ran away.

Description

• white
• 21-years-old
• 5’ 10”
• medium build
• wearing a long dark blue hoody with the hood up and dark blue trousers
• described as having a ‘baby face’
• a local, English accent

Police in Devon are investigating reports a dog was thrown from a vehicle on a major road in Devon.

The alleged incident happened at the Kennford services on the A38 near Exeter at around 2pm this afternoon.

A black King Charles Spaniel was found with suspected broken legs and has since been taken to a vets for treatment.

If anyone has any information that can help police, we ask them to contact 101 quoting log number 397 for the 1st of September.