More than £1,000 raised to revamp town's skatepark
A fundraising event to renovate a skatepark in Devon has raised more than £1,000, organisers have said.
Devon and Cornwall Police said Okehampton Police had been working with the community in a bid to rejuvenate the town's skatepark in a bid to prevent anti-social behaviour.
The force said a skate jam event was held at the site on Beare Bridge Road on 17 May and included a DJ set, skate competitions and a climbing wall.
PCSO Sean Jones said: "Okehampton doesn't have much to offer children – particularly those aged 10 to 16 – and we hope local resources like the skatepark will be effective in reducing and preventing anti-social behaviour."
More news stories for Devon
Listen to the latest news for Devon
Mr Jones said funding was not available to the site which was in "desperate need of renovation".
Police said the Community Recreation Association, Men in Sheds, Okehampton Community Kitchen, Skate Warehouse, Immersion, Okehampton United Charities, and Okehampton Town Council all contributed towards the event.
"All of the money raised on Saturday will go to the Okehampton Skatepark Regeneration group, who are working to refurbish it and make it safe for the community to enjoy," Mr Jones said.
"We were overwhelmed by the support we received from local charities, businesses and youth clubs who provided prizes and helped to organise this fantastic event.
"I think the skate jam is a great example of what we can achieve when we work together, and this event has really strengthened the relationship between police and the Okehampton community."
Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.
Devon and Cornwall Police
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Murder probe after man and woman found dead
A murder investigation is under way after a two people were found dead inside a home in Huddersfield. Jane Riddell, 61, and Lee Scott Riddell, 35, were found unresponsive at an address in Greenlea Court by officers on 3 February, with both pronounced dead a short time later. West Yorkshire Police said a murder investigation had been launched after a post-mortem examination determined Ms Riddell's death as suspicious. The force, which has only just released the details of the incident, said Mr Riddell's death was not being treated as suspicious, adding that officers were not looking for anyone else in connection with their deaths. A police spokesperson said an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding their deaths was ongoing. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. West Yorkshire Police
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Southern California father mistaken for homeless man while walking baby has cops called on him
A Huntington Beach father who was walking with his baby said he was stunned after a neighbor had mistaken him for a homeless man and called the police. Chapman Hamborg, 32, is a young father of four children and an artist who manages his own studio in the city. He was taking his usual morning walk with his newborn daughter in a baby sling when police officers suddenly pulled up and approached him. They received a call from a neighbor who claimed Hamborg was a homeless man with a stolen baby. The woman reportedly got into her car and followed him to his home. When police asked Hamborg to provide identification that he indeed lived at the home, that's when he began recording the interaction. The video was shared on his Instagram page and has since been viewed over 50 million times. In the video, Hamborg is heard telling his wife what was happening and she responded in amused disbelief. At the time, Hamborg was dressed casually in sweatpants and a fleece jacket. He had a beard and his long hair was tied back into a bun. He tells police that he's surprised his neighbors haven't already seen him as he walks around the neighborhood several times a day. The officer tells Hamborg the woman who reported him lives one street over from his house. Hamborg said he's not upset about the misunderstanding and acknowledges that, being a tired parent to a newborn may have left him looking a little scruffier than usual. 'I am a little disheveled,' he said with a laugh. 'I hadn't gotten ready for the day yet. I had my hair up in my messy bed head. My pants were a little baggy and there was a hole in my slipper.' Despite looking a bit unkempt, Hamborg said he's still quite stunned over the incident. 'I was really shocked and felt embarrassed by it all,' he said. After Hamborg's social media post about the incident went viral, he said it inspired him to think more about the issues and stigma surrounding homelessness. 'These stereotypes of what homeless people may look like can actually be harmful,' he said. So, Hamburg decided to take action and make the most of his newfound attention. He's selling limited edition prints of his painting, 'Unseen Paths,' and donating 20 percent of the proceeds to Orange County United Way's homeless outreach. 'This has been an incredible opportunity to engage with the public and help to debunk some of the myths and misinformation that people have about homelessness,' explained Becks Heyhoe-Khalil, executive director of Orange County United Way's United to End Homelessness initiative. Hamborg said the incident puts a spotlight on the hardships that parents and individuals who are actually homeless experience daily while being targeted or discriminated against. He said he's thankful to turn his situation into a positive one and not just raise money, but also raise awareness for an important issue that affects many communities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Man charged following incidents in Carlisle city centre
A man has been charged following two incidents in Carlisle. The incidents occurred on Botchergate and at the Halston car park on Warwick Road on Wednesday, June 4. READ MORE: Alston man sentenced after 144mph police pursuit on A69 near Hexham | News and Star Stuart Sanderson, 57, has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and two counts of attempt kidnap – common law. He is to appear at Carlisle Magistrates on June 6.
