
Appeal after Barnstaple competition flowers damaged on display
She added: "This damage has understandably left them upset and frustrated and we are keen to identify those responsible".

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The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Beast ‘may have spied on eight-year-old boy' before launching sex attack on him at Scots campsite
A BEAST may have spied on a boy of eight at a campsite before launching a sex attack on him as he slept in a tent, cops revealed. And they told how the balding fiend fled into the darkness after the child's 'distress' wakened his dad at the beauty spot on the shores of Loch Ness. 4 4 4 4 A senior officer said the sickening assault in the early hours of Thursday had been 'hugely traumatising' for the lad and his family, who were tourists on holiday in the area. Detective Superintendent Calum Smith told of suspicions the sicko had been watching the kid before pouncing at Loch Ness Bay campsite in Drumnadrochit, Inverness-shire, as the youngster's parents slept in a tent next to him. During a press conference in Inverness, he said: 'Given the nature of this, there is a suspicion there was an element of observation and planning from the culprit in terms of someone who might have been hanging around that area for a time in the run-up to it.' Describing the incident, Det Supt Smith said: 'The distress of the child was overheard by his father. His father came out of his tent and saw the man leaving his son's tent. 'He fled on foot. The person may have been on the campsite or may have come on to the campsite shortly beforehand. 'We have no knowledge of where he went after the campsite. He was last seen walking away into the darkness and wasn't seen again after that.' The suspect is described as white, bald, around 5ft 10ins and aged between 30 and 50. Appealing for help to trace the pervert, DS Smith went on: 'I'd ask people to think back — have they seen anyone acting suspiciously beforehand or immediately afterwards? 'Are they aware of people in the area who wouldn't have been there normally and who may fit the description of the suspect? Or do they have information to tell us about?' He added: 'It is very, very unusual for this to happen in the Highlands. 76-year-old charged with 'child cruelty offences' after eight kids & adult fell sick at summer camp 'The family are visitors to the area on a camping holiday.' The horror attack, between 12.20am and 1am on Thursday, shocked locals in the scenic area, close to Urquhart Castle. There was a significant police presence around the campsite. DSI Smith said a team of around a dozen officers were involved in the investigation. This includes reviewing 'all available' CCTV footage. Detectives and uniformed officers are also quizzing other campers and urged anyone staying in the Drumnadrochit area to come forward. Craig Jones, 40, a bar supervisor at the nearby Loch Ness Inn, said: 'We shut up on Wednesday night at 11pm and I walked home just after that. 'I didn't see anything suspicious or unusual. The police came in the following morning to speak to staff. 'We've not had anyone unusual hanging about here. But you do get a lot of hitchhikers at this time of year.' Blair Mackay, 55, who was in the bar on Wednesday night, added: 'I walked home about 9.30pm and saw nothing. 'Nobody has a clue who this man could be. "I just hope that the poor wee boy is okay' Local councillor David Fraser said the attack had 'shocked' the community in Drumnadrochit. He told BBC Scotland News: 'Words cannot describe the impact this event will have had.'


The Independent
7 hours ago
- The Independent
Police chief suspended after concerns raised about out-of-work behaviour
A police chief has been suspended after serious concerns were raised about his behaviour outside of work. Staffordshire Police Chief Constable Chris Noble, who denies any wrongdoing, is under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for the matters which pre-date his employment with the force. The watchdog said it is also probing allegations that Mr Noble shared confidential information without a policing purpose. Staffordshire police and fire commissioner Ben Adams said his decision to suspend Mr Noble was a "neutral act" and has "no bearing on any indication of guilt". Mr Adams said: "Public confidence in the police service is vital so all allegations of misconduct must be fully and independently investigated. "In the interests of the public, Staffordshire Police and the chief constable himself, I have decided to suspend Mr Noble from his role pending the outcome of the IOPC's investigation. " Suspension is a neutral act, to enable an independent and thorough investigation to take place. It has no bearing on any indication of guilt and should not be seen as such." Mr Adams added: "I know that this announcement will come as a shock to many across Staffordshire, especially our hard-working officers and staff, but it is right that allegations of this serious nature are dealt with consistently and investigated properly and thoroughly." The police and fire commissioner said his team is working to identify a temporary chief constable. An IOPC spokesman said: "We received mandatory referrals from Staffordshire's Office of the Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner on April 30, June 27 and July 29 this year in relation to Staffordshire Police Chief Constable Chris Noble. "The referrals relate to reports we've received raising serious concerns over Mr Noble's behaviour outside of his work duties. "The matters pre-date Mr Noble's appointment as Chief Constable for Staffordshire Police. "The IOPC is also separately investigating Mr Noble over allegations he shared confidential information without proper policing purpose. "That followed a referral in 2024 from the Office of the Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire. "Our enquiries are ongoing." A spokesperson from the Chief Police Officers' Staff Association said: "Chief Constable Chris Noble completely and categorically denies any wrongdoing, and will continue to co-operate fully with the IOPC investigation."


The Sun
7 hours ago
- The Sun
Cops release image after ‘attempted murder' of man in his 20s who was stabbed
COPS have released CCTV images of a man they want to speak to after a man in his 20s was stabbed in an "attempted murder". Police and emergency services scrambled to James Wolfe Road in Oxford at about 7pm on July 20. 3 3 3 The victim, a man in his twenties, was found with serious injuries and was rushed to hospital. He has since been discharged from hospital following treatment. A new update on the attempted murder investigation has now been released with the force looking for a specific man. Officers released images to the public of the man whom they would like to speak in relation to the stabbing. Detective Inspector George Atkinson urged the man to come forward immediately. He said that the man may have "vital information to assist us with our enquiries". DI Atkinson said: 'We have been conducting a thorough investigation following this incident and we are now appealing for the public's help. 'I am appealing to anyone who recognises the man pictured as he may have vital information to assist us with our enquiries. 'If this is you, please come forward as soon as possible."