Monday 19th October 2009 HSBC branch leaves door open all night
A branch of the HSBC in the Devon town of Newton Abbot spent a night
with its doors unlocked last Thursday. When staff arrived to find the
door unlocked next morning they feared the worst and called in the
police. The building was searched by specialist officers and dog
handlers before the staff were allowed into the building, which is
currently being renovated. Police soon realised that there was no sign
of an intrusion or break in.

The bank issued no comment when asked about the incident. The police
said they were unsure of the lock mechanism on the door was faulty or
if staff had simply failed to lock up properly. Devon

Thursday 10th September 2009 Rugby tackle earns brave Royal Marine Military Cross
When Sgt Noel Connolly, a Royal Marine since 1988, rugby tackled a would-be Taliban suicide bomber he thought nothing of his own safety as he saved the lives of his 30 comrades. The sergeant threw himself at the suicide bomber surprising him before the deadly 150lb device could be detonated in Afghanistan last April. Sgt Connolly is originally from Manchester and has been a soldier since he was 19 and when asked is likely to brush off his selfless act as merely doing his job.

Plymouth-based 42 Commando came under attack from the suicide bomber while patrolling a disused school during active duty in Afghanistan. Sgt Connolly spotted suspicious wires on the handlebars of the approaching motorcycle and raced forward to bundle the rider to the ground and away from the machine. His actions probably saved the entire patrol from death and serious injury. After the incident the soldier pleaded with his sister not to let his mother know what he’d been up to. The secret is out now though as Sgt Connolly will be presented with the prestigious Military Cross by the Queen later in the year. Devon

Thursday 13th August 2009 Exeter welcomes champion swimmer
Over a thousand people lined the streets in Exeter to welcome back Liam Tancock home after winning gold at the World Swimming Championships in Rome.

Lord Mayor John WInterbottom was there to greet the swimmer as he returned in triumph to his home town and made a speech praising Tancock’s achievements. The gathered townsfolk cheered the gold medalist as he appeared in front of them. The Devon based swimmer took gold in the 50m backstroke and broke the world record twice during the event, once in the semi-final and again in the final when he recorded a time of 24.04 seconds. Devon

Friday 24th July 2009 Civic reception for VIP diver Daley
The town of Plymouth is all set to welcome their hero Tom Daley home back from Rome in style. The 15-year-old took victory in the 10m platform category on Tuesday at the World Diving Championships, making him the first Britain to become and individual champion in the sport.

The young athlete will take an open-top bus parade before going to a reception with the Lord Mayor on Friday 31 July. But Daley’s work in Rome is not yet finished, this Friday (July 25) he will partner Max Brick in the synchronised event. Devon

Wednesday 15th July 2009 PCSO to patrol Croyde Beach
PCSO Jo Carter’s life is a beach. Or it is now that her beat has been extended to include Croyde Beach for the summer. PCSO Carter, who is based at Braunton, will patrol alongside the beach’s existing RNLI lifeguards in order to allow them to concentrate more fully on their core duties.

Devon and Cornwall Police hope the presence of a Police Officer on patrol on the beach will reassure users and make the beach feel a safer place. There are already PCSO’s on the so called Beach Beat, at Fistral and Perranporth beaches in Cornwall.
ends Devon