'Nighthawkers' in illegal dig at historic Devon site

Police are investigating an incident of illegal metal detecting at the historic Lydford Castle and Saxon Town site in Devon.The unauthorised activity, known as nighthawking, involved the digging of multiple holes at the protected 13th Century site, a scheduled monument managed by English Heritage.The site features a 13th Century tower on a mound, built as a prison which became notorious for harsh punishments, a Norman earthwork castle and Saxon town defencesMark Harrison, head of heritage crime at Historic England, said the offenders were "stealing from all of us and damaging something which is often irreplaceable".
Most metal detectorists followed the law and adhered to codes of practice, he said, warning illegal detecting posed a serious threat to the nation's heritage."Significant progress has been made tackling heritage crime, but there is more that can be done," said Mr Harrison."With the support of government, the hard work of the police, and the help of the community and volunteers, we can help ensure that our heritage is protected and preserved for future generations."Devon and Cornwall Police said: "We were notified following a report of a number of holes recently being dug at the English Heritage site Lydford Castle and Saxon Town without permission."At this time, there are no viable lines of enquiry however if further evidence comes to light the incident can be re-visited."

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The Sun

12 hours ago

• The Sun

English town's war over ‘Berlin Wall 2' takes ANOTHER twist after 6ft concrete barrier ‘cut off' locals

AN ENGLISH town's war over "Berlin Wall 2" has taken another twist after the 6ft concrete barrier has now been "cut off" to locals. The towering wall built between the Kendalls Lane estates in Okehampton, Devon, had left residents stunned by its imposing presence. 2 2 The 6ft wall had cut off a walking route used by locals to get their children to the primary school. One resident revealed that the wall prevented her husband from getting through, as he uses a mobility scooter. However, tensions between locals and the council have reached new heights after a mystery resident rented a JCB digger and smashed a hole in the wall. This came as welcome news to residents, with the gap wide enough for pushchairs and mobility scooters to pass through. However, earlier this month, there were reports that the owners had allegedly dismantled the wall and scattered the bricks across the path to block access. A tall fence was also installed around the dismantled wall to block access once again. Councillor George Dexter, of West Devon Borough Council, North Ward, told DevonLive: "This was done (on June 11) without warning after the children from the estate had gone to school, so they have to make a long detour to go home. "I was told that St James' school had to inform the parents to allow them to leave early." The councillor previously explained that the issue with the narrow strip of land is that it sits on a ransom strip connected to nearby privately owned land. This means using the road as a path is technically trespassing. Cllr Caroline Mott, West Devon's Borough Council's Lead Member for Planning & Built Environment, revealed that the "work carried out, happened on the day of the Temporary Stop Notice, which prevents such work, expired". And that they were "now considering the implications for further Planning Enforcement action". Residents had compared the structure to the infamous Berlin Wall, which fell with the collapse of the Soviet Union. The structure was even covered in graffiti reading " Berlin Wall Mk 2", prompting the council to issue an Enforcement Notice last month, warning the owner to remove it or face action. "I thought Trump was only building walls in America!" one local wrote online. Other residents said it changed the feel of the area, with some joking that "watchtowers" would be added next. West Devon Borough issued an Enforcement Notice ordering the removal of the unauthorised structure between the two housing estates. The landowner appealed, but the council told the Planning Inspectorate that the 6ft wall should be demolished. And a furious mum-of-two says she is being 'treated like a criminal' after 'stuck up' neighbours complained about a double-decker bus parked on her drive.

Daily Mail​

14 hours ago

• Daily Mail​

'Great Wall of Devon' landowner wages war with neighbours AGAIN after building six foot concrete barrier to block locals

After blocking parents and schoolchildren with a 'dangerous' six-foot concrete barrier, developers have struck again in a fresh attempt to completely cut off the route. The 2-meter concrete barrier, which was hastily and mysteriously erected over the Easter holidays, stopped residents from getting their children to St James Primary School in Oklehampton, Devon. It was built between two housing estates which developers said was private land, warning those who passed through were 'trespassing'. Since then, the wall dubbed by locals as the 'Berlin Wall' has been broken up by a mysterious have-a-go hero in a rented JCB. A gap was left big enough for push chairs, bikes and mobility scooters to get through the two housing estates in Kellands Lane. However, in a latest twist, the wall has been completely dismantled and the blocks have been spread across the path in a fresh attempt to impede a way through. A tall fence has also been put up around the blocks to entirely cut off the pathway. Leander Developments has said the 'temporary' fencing is for 'insurance purposes' as they are 'required to take reasonable steps to prevent trespass across our land'. Councillor George Dexter, of West Devon Borough Council, North Ward, told Devon Live: 'This was done without warning after the children from the estate had gone to school, so they have to make a long detour to go home. 'I was told that St James school had to inform the parents to allow them to leave early.' The councillor previously revealed that the problem with the thin stretch of land is that it is located on a ransom strip from a nearby stretch of privately owned land. Therefore, any use of the road as a thoroughfare is technically trespassing. He explained: 'There used to be a hedge here, but families would just walk around it and in the intervening years the estates have sprung up around it. 'A few weeks ago this wall suddenly appeared and everyone was confused. It cuts off everybody here. 'Last week a resident took things into his own hands and soon after the council issued an enforcement notice.' In April, West Devon Borough Council issued an enforcement notice ordering Leander Developments to remove the unauthorised structure dubbed by locals as the ' Berlin Wall'. The landowner appealed the notice and the council advised the Planning Inspectorate dealing with the appeal that the block structure be removed. Cllr Caroline Mott, West Devon's Borough Council's Lead Member for Planning & Built Environment, said: 'Our Planning Enforcement Team were made aware that the structure at Kellands Lane had been replaced by Heras Fencing and included a larger area enclosed by the Heras Fencing. 'Our Enforcement Team has been to visit the site to take further photographs and measurements. 'They have confirmed that work carried out, happened on the day of the Temporary Stop Notice, which prevents such work, expired. 'We are now considering the implications for further Planning Enforcement action.' An enforcement notice is used when development is carried out without the necessary planning permission. The notice tells the person receiving it what they have done wrong, what must be done to put it right and the timescale within which that must be done. Locals have previously shared their fears over the landowner appealing the enforcement notice. When MailOnline visited the estate in April, half of the wall had been demolished, with blocks lying scattered on the ground. Cllr Dexter said: 'It's a big deal for these people. Why have they done it? Locals think it's down to proposed developments in the field next door to it. 'They think the developers are using their ownership of the ransom strip to get a better deal with their application.' Nearby residents have described it as 'really dangerous' and expressed delight when it was initially knocked down. 'Nobody knew why it was put up', says Dana Green, 40, 'I moved here seven years ago and there was a hedge which died. 'Then they put up this huge wall and the kids have been crawling underneath the gaps. 'It's really dangerous.' Roy Hopkinson lives right next to the hated wall. 'It's been mental,' he concedes, 'I don't know why they've put it there. 'It does look like the Berlin Wall, It made the neighbourhood a lot quieter, people were joking that there would soon be watchtowers installed. 'Everyone was grateful to the person that knocked it down.' 'My husband can't get through it as she uses a mobility scooter', said Verity Warren, 'I can't believe they just whacked it up. It used to be a load of dirt but then they made a new path when the school was opened. 'Nothing happens for ages and then there's a bloody great wall built. 'Why didn't they just put some bollards down!' Keith Monnax told MailOnline he had originally made the path through the mud. He said: 'I saw them putting the wall up and thought it was a bit harsh. But then they came and knocked it down anyway. 'What happens now? It's petty and all about land, but nobody knows where it will go from here.' A spokesman for Leander Developments said: 'The land is under private ownership, and there is no public right of way - anyone who crosses this land is committing trespass. 'The recently erected temporary fencing is for insurance purposes, as we are required to take reasonable steps to prevent trespass across our land. 'Around March this year, Google Maps started showing a path across the land, so we have no choice but to take steps to prevent illegal entry onto our land, to comply with the terms of our insurance policy. 'Previously, this piece of land was blocked off, but members of the public removed a section of the hedge to create a path, without permission, which has caused this issue. 'We installed a temporary block wall under Permitted Development Rights, but the Council issued an Enforcement Notice on the grounds of design, which we are appealing through the Planning Inspectorate. 'As an unknown member of the public partially destroyed the temporary block wall with a digger and rendered it unsafe, we have had to dismantle the rest of the wall on health and safety grounds. 'We have a Construction Management Plan, approved by West Devon Borough Council, which allows fencing in this location. 'The fencing will be in place until the appeal is determined, and a permanent solution can be agreed with West Devon Borough Council. 'On 6th January 2023 (two and a half years ago) we had a meeting, on site, with two Directors of the Council, the local member, and the then Leader of the Council to discuss a long-term solution to complete the Kellands Lane connection. 'After the meeting, no further action was taken by West Devon Borough Council. 'We remain willing to work towards resolving this issue, and completing the road connection, but West Devon Borough Council do need to engage with us to enable this to happen.'

BBC News

17 hours ago

• BBC News

People in Devon and Cornwall told to hand in ninja swords

People who own ninja swords are being told to hand them in before the end of and Cornwall Police said it was part of the national ninja sword surrender and compensation scheme, which will run from 1 to 31 are being offered the chance to surrender them at local police stations and in some cases they may be able to claim Ch Insp Steve Fleetwood, force lead for knife crime, said: "We need to continue to work together to prevent and reduce knife crime and keep our communities safe." The majority of ninja swords have a blade between 14 inches and 24 inches, with a straight cutting edge and pointed can be claimed if a sword is handed in during the surrender period and a claim submitted at a designated police station. To be eligible for compensation, a person must have been the lawful owner of the sword on or before 25 March 2025 and be able to provide proof such as an invoice or the surrender period comes to an end, ninja swords will be prohibited. People will still be able to surrender items to the police, but will not be able to claim compensation. 'Continue to educate' Knife surrender bins are now permanently situated in local police stations across the region so that the public can surrender knives safely and discreetly at any Fleetwood said: "Knife crime is not a major issue in our region, however we take it very seriously and will continue to educate the public and aim to remove knife crime from the streets."Possession of banned weapons, even if just in a drawer or attic at home, can mean a prison sentence of more than four years."