'Berlin Wall 2' must be demolished after being built in middle of housing estate
West Devon Borough Council has clamped down with an Enforcement Notice demanding the removal of the intrusive 'Berlin Wall' that's sprung up between two housing estates on Kellands Lane in Okehampton, Devon. It blocked the path parents use to drop and collect their children at St James Primary School in the town.
The council slapped a 'Temporary Stop Notice' on April 17 to halt further construction and followed through with an Enforcement Notice on April 25, which will come into force on May 27.
Enforcement notices are issued when someone carries out work without the required planning permission. They explain the violation, state how to fix it and give a deadline for the job.
An enforcement notice is used when development is carried out without the necessary planning permission, reports Devon Live.
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. There is a right of appeal against enforcement notices.
Councillor Caroline Mott, lead member for planning and the built environment at West Devon Borough Council, said: "The Council has taken action to have the structure removed and hope the inconvenience to the community will be resolved as a matter of urgency."
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Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Our proud city's oasis has turned into dangerous crime den overrun by zombie druggies and thugs who rob pensioners
Locals claim cops are worried about intervening and making things worse 'CRACKADILLY GARDENS' Our proud city's oasis has turned into dangerous crime den overrun by zombie druggies and thugs who rob pensioners Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A DRUG user lies slumped on a bench while hooded youths stare menacingly at passers-by and a masked teenager on a bike circles with suspicious intent. Welcome to what locals have dubbed 'Crackadilly Gardens' - once a calm haven adorned with cherry trees and colourful flower beds in the heart of Manchester. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 20 The area has become overrun with people high on the zombie drug spice Credit: STEVE ALLEN 20 Homeless people and drug addicts can be seen sleeping in doorways Credit: STEVE ALLEN 20 The area serves as an interchange in the city for buses and trams Credit: STEVE ALLEN 20 Locals say they fear 'masked teenagers on bikes looking to steal' Credit: STEVE ALLEN 20 Eunice Manu says the gardens now feel scary and there's often trouble Credit: STEVE ALLEN But over time various redesigns of Piccadilly Gardens meant much of the green space was replaced with concrete, and it now doubles as bus and tram interchange. At one point the area became such an eyesore that one of its architectural features became known as Manchester's 'Berlin Wall'. And it's since become overrun by beggars, drug dealers and 'zombie' addicts. Frequent violence, robberies and anti-social behaviour have also blighted the area and turned it into a crime hot-spot. Residents say it's now an 'intimidating' and 'unpleasant' place to be in the day, and a 'dangerous' no-go zone at night. Various schemes have failed to clean up Piccadilly Gardens, and its image problem is an embarrassment for town hall chiefs keen to promote the northern city as a great place to live, work and visit. In response, police have carried out regular patrols and launched frequent crackdowns. On the day The Sun visited groups of officers swooped and detained three men outside a nearby supermarket. One was arrested and handcuffed and taken away in a police vehicle. Another man became angry and started shouting while the third, who'd lost a shoe, cried out in pain and struggled to walk. They left the area, only for one of them to return a short time later when police had gone. Manchester Police Raids smash down doors in early morning raids on postal drug dealers He staggered around, seemingly under the influence of drink, drugs or both, before sitting down on the pavement and swearing at passers-by, including children. In a separate incident, which involved armed police, a 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of burglary. Despite the increased police presence and a zero-tolerance approach from officers, locals say the area still feels unsafe. Eunice Manu, 40, who works nearby for a women's charity, admits Piccadilly Gardens can be a 'scary' place. "I'm always very careful when I'm walking along because there's always stuff going on,' she said. It's not a very friendly place and although they've tried to improve things, it doesn't feel safe because of what's going on – it's really scary Eunice Manu 'I watch all the time to see what's going on around me. 'It's not a very friendly place and although they've tried to improve things, it doesn't feel safe because of what's going on – it's really scary. 'You just don't know what to expect when you get here. There's always trouble and a lot of police about.' She added that the area's reputation is so bad even her children regularly warn her to 'be careful' when travelling to and from work. 'It's a s***-hole' 20 Student Melis Ichan says she often feels intimidated when walking through the area Credit: STEVE ALLEN 20 The area has become overrun with drink and drugs, even during the day Credit: STEVE ALLEN 20 Police often make arrests in the area to try and tackle the crimes Credit: MEN Media 20 A man is given a talking to from police on the streets near Piccadilly Gardens Credit: STEVE ALLEN David Penk, 76, said: 'I'm old enough to remember how Piccadilly Gardens used to be - lovely and quiet and a nice place to sit, but now it's a s***-hole.' 'There's drugs all around the place and fights all the time. 'It's just an unpleasant place to be and I try to avoid the whole area if I can - after midday it gets a bit 'iffy'." Nick, 74, who only wanted to give his first name, said his brother had visited the city centre with him and was 'shocked' by what he saw. 'We came in one night to watch a gig and my brother was a bit taken aback,' he said. 'It was a bit of a shock for him to see all these drugged-up people hanging around. 'I live here so I'm used to it, but he lives in East Anglia so doesn't often encounter such scenes.' You can get anything you want there: crack, smack (heroin), spice, weed, everything Dave, 52 He added: 'Piccadilly Gardens used to be a nice place in the 70s, with flower beds and that sort of thing, but it's just been ruined over the years.' Melis Ichan, 28, a Turkish student in London who regularly visits friends in Manchester, said she's noticed the area's 'drug issues' and the 'intimidating' atmosphere. 'It can feel a little threatening and uncomfortable, especially if you're a woman on your own," she admitted. 'I think the main issue is masked teenagers on bikes looking to steal phones and other things. So I'm always very careful with my belongings.' She added that she 'loves' Manchester and hoped to live and work there, rather than London. 'Den of inequity' 20 Dave, who is homeless, says it's not safe in the gardens any more Credit: STEVE ALLEN 20 This feature in Picadilly Garden has been dubbed Manchester's Berlin Wall Credit: STEVE ALLEN 20 The Sun saw a man being arrested by police when we visited this week Credit: STEVE ALLEN 20 Some residents say they're too afraid to go near the gardens at night Credit: STEVE ALLEN Homeless pals Dave, 52, and Carl, 54, described Piccadilly Gardens as a 'den of inequity'. Dave said: 'You can get anything you want there: crack, smack (heroin), spice, weed, everything. 'That's why there's a lot of trouble and stabbings – arguments over drugs.' Carl added: 'I've been robbed twice there. That's why we both stay away – it's just not safe. 'If anything it's got worse and the police don't want to interfere too much because they're worried it will cause more trouble. 'It was bad when all the Oasis fans came to Manchester to watch them perform. 'They were coming to Piccadilly Gardens and putting their bags down and getting them robbed. 'A lot of them didn't even realise what was going until it was too late.' Violent crime 20 A man was stabbed in Piccadilly Gardens last month, leading cops to cordon off part of the area Credit: MEN Media 20 Police have been maintaining a presence in the area to try to improve the situation Credit: STEVE ALLEN Recent serious incidents include a 23-year-old man who was stabbed last month during an alleged fight, with a 19-year-old later charged. Also last month, two men - one in his 20s and another in his 30s - were victims of a double stabbing. An air ambulance had to land in Piccadilly Gardens in May when another stabbing victim, 31, was rushed to hospital. And a man died in December after he was found collapsed in a doorway two days before Christmas. Simon Quest, 37, was jailed for four years and six months in December for stealing a mobile phone after cycling up behind his behind his victim in Piccadilly Gardens and throwing coffee over him. Police said the 'deplorable' attack, in June 2024, resulted in the man falling to the ground 'completely disorientated and unable to defend himself'. In another robbery in January last year, a 76-year-old was assaulted and robbed of a quantity of cash after he came to the city centre to withdraw his pension and disability benefits. Class A crackdown 20 GMP caught a drug gang that was dealing Class A drugs in Piccadilly Gardens Credit: GMP 20 Cops hoped to make a dent in the dealing taking place in the area Credit: GMP In November 2023, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) supported by specialist police from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, launched a major operation in Piccadilly Gardens targeting class A drug dealing. Drugs were supplied to customers using various means: through flare messages, teenage couriers and directly to those in the area needing a fix. In April, Manchester Crown Court heard how undercover cops had exposed one criminal gang headed by Martin Joyce, which supplied crack cocaine and heroin. The investigation focused on an alleyway, known as Back Piccadilly, which was notorious for drug deals due to its private and secluded nature. In total the operation led to 23 criminals being brought before the court and given sentences ranging from two to five years. GMP acknowledge that Piccadilly Gardens presents a 'unique challenge' for officers and they have to worked with local partners and charities to try to tackle problems. I've been robbed twice there. That's why we both stay away – it's just not safe Carl From March to May this year, 93 people were arrested for a variety of offences while 384 people were stop and searched. Cops' Operation Vulcan led to a targeted 18-month long operation to root out drug dealers and tackle crime in the area, and a dedicated police team now patrol the area day and night. Police tactics rely on a mix of regular visible patrols, community meetings and briefings, and 'targeted activity' - such as weapon or drug sweeps. And they work with the council to secure criminal behaviour orders against repeat offenders to effectively ban them from returning to Piccadilly Gardens or the wider city area. But Superintendent Nicola Williams, of GMP, says she doesn't underestimate the challenge faced by the force. 'I am realistic,' she told the Manchester Evening News in May. 'I have worked in neighbourhood policing all my career. Piccadilly Gardens is a particularly challenging space because of the footfall that passes through it every day. It's 24/7. And I recognise we can't be here 24/7 too. 'We are adopting a zero-tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour here, so if someone is here behaving in that manner, we will deal with it. "If they're begging, they will get arrested. If they're smoking a joint, they will get arrested. If we see someone dealing, they will get arrested. 20 The council and police have promised to take more action in the area Credit: STEVE ALLEN 20 The Sun saw armed police and normal police officers when we visited the city centre Credit: STEVE ALLEN 'I am committed to that because those are the things that really impact people coming to Piccadilly Gardens about their daily business. "We don't want to smell cannabis, see someone who has perhaps been sleeping here all night and potentially under the influence, it doesn't help people feel safe.' Inspector Kam Hare, of GMP's City Centre Piccadilly Gardens neighbourhood policing team, told The Sun: 'We have a team dedicated to tackling issues in Piccadilly Gardens as we are acutely aware of the complex challenges that this area does present. 'Through a strategy of working with partners including Manchester City Council, we are working together to tackle these problems with long-term solutions. "The foundations of the problem-solving approach we have seen in Piccadilly Gardens had seen real progress being made in terms of safeguarding, enforcement, and our understanding of the issues and concerns communities are facing. 'Over the past six months alone we have seen 249 arrests resulting in 183 charges, 27 knives seized and large amounts of Class A and Class B drugs seized. We will continue to take action in this area ensuring criminals know they cannot operate here. 'We are determined to ensure the perception of Piccadilly Gardens, and the public's feeling of safety in the area, continues to improve. "We cannot do this alone however and will work with our partners to achieve this alongside the backing of additional force resources whenever and wherever there is intelligence or demand to suggest we need extra officers in the area. 'We also rely on intelligence from members of our community – from the people that work in the area to those that live in the buildings surround the gardens. Over the past six months alone we have seen 249 arrests resulting in 183 charges, 27 knives seized and large amounts of Class A and Class B drugs seized Inspector Kam Hare "Please continue to report incidents to ourselves as it helps us to build a targeted plan of activity that our neighbourhood officers can use.' A City Council spokesperson said: 'We know that Piccadilly Gardens sometimes attracts negative headlines. We're bringing forward plans to improve its appearance and boost public confidence in its safety. "There have been intensive police crackdowns with operations such as Operation Vulcan and ongoing days of action resulting in many arrests. "We are working closely with Greater Manchester Police to build on the successes of this approach and strengthen its long term impact in tackling and preventing crime and anti-social behaviour.' The spokesperson added that plans would be announced next month for 'immediate and long term measures' to ensure it is a welcoming space for residents and visitors alike.
Daily Mirror
08-08-2025
- Daily Mirror
'Fun and outgoing' Brit found dead in Holland ditch after house party
The public inquiry into the death of 20-year-old Plymothian Thomas Delafey was recently held at Exeter Coroner's Court. The young man was found dead in a ditch in the Netherlands after attending a house party. A 20-year-old man from Plymouth was tragically found dead in a ditch in Holland, just a week after attending a house party, an inquest has revealed. The public inquiry into the death of Thomas Delafey was recently conducted at Exeter Coroner's Court by area coroner Deborah Archer. The court heard from several witnesses following Thomas's untimely demise in June 2023, revealing that he had attended a bash in a house 20 miles from Amsterdam. However, he mysteriously went missing and his body wasn't discovered for several days after. Ms Archer highlighted that Truro-born Thomas had allegedly consumed some amphetamine and GHB at the party. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is medically used in the treatment of narcolepsy, but it's also abused as an illegal drug due to its euphoric, drowsy and relaxing effects. It comes after a mum who left work 'abruptly' was then found dead in a hotel room. The inquest heard that Thomas suffered a psychotic breakdown and experienced paranoia at the party after which he was dropped off at a local hospital in the city of Hoorn. His friend said: "He was really wired. He hadn't had any real sleep for a few days." However, Thomas didn't register at the hospital and was seen leaving the premises on CCTV footage — but his body wasn't found for a week after. Dutch police confirmed at the time that Thomas – also known as Taiga Akabane – had been located on a road called Maelsonstraat. The inquest was told that Thomas, who had distinctive bright hair and piercings, was later found submerged in a water-filled ditch approximately 100 to 200 metres from the hospital, reports DevonLive. His sister Holly shared: "He was a fine young man who was very well liked by his peers." She told the inquest that Thomas was "in good spirits and looking forward to the trip and excited". She described him as a social drinker who indulged in speed and cocaine at parties. The inquest heard how his friend searched for Thomas for hours without success, eventually reporting him missing to the police the next day. After his disappearance, and just before his body was discovered, Holly told PlymouthLive that Thomas was a "fun and outgoing person". She added that he lived life to the fullest and was adored and well-loved by everyone who knew him. Home Office forensic pathologist Dr Amanda Jeffery conducted a post mortem in the UK and stated that Thomas had suffered no obvious injuries. She said there was no evidence he had stumbled or fallen into the ditch and she could not confirm if he had drowned. She suggested that he would have passed away fairly soon after leaving the hospital in June 2023. She attributed his death to the combined effects of amphetamine use and immersion in water. Ms Archer recorded a conclusion of misadventure.
Scottish Sun
08-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Gruesome pics show woman covered in blood after Japanese Akita bit her 4 TIMES in horror attack outside home
She lost consciousness throughout the attack SAVAGE MAULING Gruesome pics show woman covered in blood after Japanese Akita bit her 4 TIMES in horror attack outside home Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GRUESOME pictures show the aftermath of a woman who was viciously mauled by a Japanese Akita. The 34-year-old Exeter woman was savagely mauled by the dog, leaving her covered in horrific scratches and bites. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 She was bitten four times leaving her with gruesome bite marks Credit: BPM 5 She lost consciousness throughout the attack but remembers screaming Credit: BPM 5 The woman was savagely attacked by a Japanese Akita Credit: Getty 5 She is campaigning to raise awareness for dangerous breeds Credit: BPM 5 The injuries left her needing plastic surgery Credit: BPM She believes she lost consciousness during the attack but remembers screaming in the aftermath. The victim needed plastic surgery following the attack. She also suffered an open fracture to her wrist and a chipped bone. She has been left terrified of dogs. A police investigation is underway. The woman is now campaigning to raise awareness for other dangerous breeds, as Japanese Akitas are not on the UK's banned list of dogs. They are, however, classified as a restricted breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. The woman told Devon Live: "There was blood everywhere, I remember people slapping me in the face as I was in and out of consciousness. They said my lips were turning blue." The dog had escaped from a nearby garden and attacked the woman after she tried to encourage it home. She said: "I have multiple scars that include a mouth-sized bite to my right leg, right shoulder, right arm and the operation scars on my left arm." Armed police gave the woman oxygen before paramedics attended once the dog had been detained by its owner. She was taken to the RD&E where her wounds were cleaned and she was given a tetanus jab. The woman added: "People need to be warned. I've been told that this breed doesn't show any aggression when they are going to attack. "There's a lot of publicity about Staffies and XL Bullys but there are more breeds out there that people should know about. "I'm now scared of large dogs, even my own at times." A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police told Devon Live: "We were notified following a report of a dog biting a woman in, Exeter, on Thursday 22 May. It was reported the woman suffered a number of puncture wounds. Enquiries are ongoing."
