Flowers stolen from a shop and vandalism caused to a fence are two crimes which have taken place recently in Topsham.

TEN bunches of flowers were stolen from a shop in Topsham.

The flowers were taken from outside Richard’s florists and greengrocer in Fore Street between 6am and 6.50am on Thursday, October 28.

Anyone with information about the offence should call Devon and Cornwall police on 08452 777444 quoting crime reference number DE/10/11153.

In a separate incident, a wooden fence was damaged outside a property in High Street between 10.30pm on Wednesday, October 20 and 9.30am on Thursday, October 21.

The fence had maker pen scrawled all over it. Anyone who may have seen something suspicious taking place should call the police on 08452 777444 quoting crime reference on DE/10/10901.

The next partners and communities together meeting will be held in Matthews Hall on Tuesday, January 11.

Residents and business people from the town can use the meetings as an opportunity to raise any concerns they may have about life in the town such as anti social behaviour or litter.

Those involved with the scheme identify issues which affect people the most and determine three priorities at each meeting to be addressed.

Speeding and motorists parking in unauthorised places were singled out as matters that concern residents the most at a PACT panel held last month.

Since the last meeting, members of the Topsham police team have been working to resolve the problems.

Richard Shelton, police community support officer for the town, said: “The loading bay in Fore Street is occasionally used by unauthorised vehicles.

“This leads to delivery lorries and vans parking in the road and blocking the main street in order to unload goods.

“So far we have issued advisory notices to some vehicles parked in the bay. Civil enforcement officers will be issuing fixed penalty notices to offending vehicles.”

Mr Shelton said officers had also been working to address the problem of motorists parking illegally in Fore Street by stopping on double yellow lines or in restricted bays.

“The local police team have issued advisory notices and given words of advice to drivers,” he said.

There has also been concern raised about drivers speeding along Elm Grove and Denver roads as they try to beat the level crossing before it goes down.

Mr Shelton said heavy goods vehicles used the roads as a short cut which possibly damaged parked cars.

“We will continue to use our speed indication device to monitor vehicles coming in to Topsham using Clyst Road and Elm Grove Road,” he added.

“Several checks have already taken place this year and more are planned for this month. We will engage with Devon Highways and local residents as to resolving traffic issues.”