Building society cashier held at gunpoint during robbery

POLICE have appealed for help from the public in catching an armed robber who struck in Minehead late in the afternoon on Tuesday, July 24.
The robbery happened in the Nationwide Building Society, in The Parade, where a cashier was held at gunpoint while a second member of staff was forced to fill a bag with cash.
It happened at about 4.45 pm when a man walked into the offices brandishing what appeared to be a hand gun and threatened staff.
He grabbed the cashier and began shouting as he threw a bag at a second woman and demanded she stuffed it with money.
The raider then snatched the bag away and ran to a car parked nearby, believed to be blue in colour and possibly a Peugeot make, which may have been parked around the corner in Holloway Street.
He was described as a white man about 6 ft tall, of thin build, aged between 20 to 30 years, with pointed features, and speaking with a strong Scottish accent, possibly Glaswegian.
The robber wore a white hooded top with some form of writing across the chest area and black faded jeans.
Police have appealed for anybody who was in the area at the time and may have seen anything suspicious, particularly a man running towards the parked car, to contact them.
Anybody with information can contact police at Minehead on 0845 4567000 or they can use the secure Crimestoppers contact form at https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/crimestoppers/ContactForm.aspx.
Alternatively they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They do not have to give a name and they could receive a reward.

Appeal for information after rare riding carriage is stolen

A RARE horse cart valued at £2,000 has been stolen from a yard in Shurton, where it was parked on grass.
The four-wheel riding carriage was taken during the night of Sunday-Monday, April 22-23.
However, details of the theft have only just been published by the police, who are appealing for information about the crime.
The 18-month-old carriage was built in Poland and is bright purple and cream in colour with black seats and tyres and has lights on the undercarriage.
The maker's name, 'Julian Talbot', is written on the side of the carriage.
Police would like to speak to anybody who may have witnessed the theft, or who may have been offered the carriage for sale, or who might know the offenders involved. Anybody who can help should contact the police through the secure Crimestoppers contact form at https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/crimestoppers/ContactForm.aspx.
Alternatively, they can call the freephone Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111, where they do not have to give a name but could receive a reward.
Photo submitted.

Murder inquiry police arrest man at Butlins

POLICE have launched a murder inquiry after an incident at Butlins holiday centre, in Minehead.
They were called to the centre at 3 am on Saturday, April 21, after reports of a 19-year-old woman being found with serious injuries.
The woman, who is believed to be from the Mid Glamorgan area of South Wales, was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, but died shortly after 4 am.
A 26-year-old man, also from Mid-Glamorgan, has been arrested at Butlins on suspicion of murder and was taken into custody in Taunton Police Station.
An area of the camp was sealed off for police crime scene investigators to carry out a forensic examination, and officers were also speaking to other Butlins holidaymakers.
The dead woman had not yet been formally identified and a post mortem was still to be held.
Police have appealed for any witnesses or anybody who may have seen anything suspicious at Butlins overnight to contact them.
Anybody who can help should contact the police through the secure Crimestoppers contact form at https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/crimestoppers/ContactForm.aspx.
Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers on the free telephone number 0800 555 111, where they do not have to give their name and where they could receive a reward.
Photo by Mrak the Photographer, ref M050032. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.

Police warning over Easter car crime and off-roading on Quantock Hills

POLICE are asking Easter visitors to the Quantock Hills to take simple measures to avoid becoming a victim of car crime.
They are also taking the opportunity to remind owners of all 4x4 vehicles, quad bikes, and motorcycles that all tracks across the Quantock Hills are now out of bounds to unauthorised vehicles.
Police Community Support Officer for the Quantock Hills, Eamonn Leniston, said: “As Easter approaches, the lighter nights and warmer days mean that more people are out walking on the Quantock Hills and visiting natural beauty spots, and therefore are parking their cars in the area.
“We are reminding visitors to make sure they remove property from display in vehicles, lock their car, and keep their belongings safe.
“It Is a simple message - if your property is not on display, the thief will see nothing to steal and walk on by.
“The vast majority of thefts from cars are opportunistic - the thief sees your sat nav on the dashboard, or bag on the back seat, breaks your window, and takes it.
“This is a message we have been pushing out for a long, long time but it does not get through.
“Time and time again we have thefts reported to us of property which has been left on display in your car.
“This is a crime which is so easy to prevent but this is not something the police can do on our own.
“Regular patrols on the hills are made and vehicles are checked. If we find vehicles which are vulnerable we will contact you.”
PCSO Leniston also pointed out it was an offence to use a mechanically-driven vehicle off-road anywhere on the Quantock Hills unless authorised, such as land owners and those who have the land owner’s permission.
He said: “People who tend their livestock are also entitled to use the off-road tracks.
“However, there are still individuals who persist in doing so for recreational purposes and there is a minority who cause alarm and distress to other visitors to the hills.
“Should you witness any offending vehicles, please contact us on 0845 456 7000 - always use 999 in an emergency - or via the force website at http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/.
“Anybody who can help should contact us through our secure Crimestoppers contact form at https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/crimestoppers/ContactForm.aspx.
“Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You do not have to give your name and you could receive a reward.”
Photo submitted.

Police appeal for help after Dulverton burglary

POLICE in Dulverton are appealing for witnesses and information after a man carried out a burglary at a house in the town.
The theft happened overnight on Saturday, March 24, and Sunday, March 25, at a house in Jury Road.
The offender stole a handbag and its contents before making off.
He was described as a white male, aged 20 to 30 years, of medium build, 5 ft 6 ins to 5 ft 8 ins tall, and with dark hair.
The man was wearing a white top and dark trousers.
Police believe the man may have been seen in the area trying the doors of neighbouring properties at around 2.30 am on the Sunday.
They would like to speak to anybody who may have seen him or may have any other information about the burglary.
Anybody who can help should contact the police through the secure Crimestoppers contact form at https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/crimestoppers/ContactForm.aspx.
Alternatively they can call Crimestoppers on the free number 0800 555 111, where they do not need to give their name and where they could receive a reward for their help.

Bus and car vandals leave trail of damage across Minehead

WITNESSES and information are being sought by police after a series of cars and buses in Minehead were damaged by vandals.
It happened on the town’s Mart Road industrial estate and in nearby residential roads some time between 12 midnight and 4.45 am on Saturday, March 17.
The offenders entered a compound in Brunel Way, where buses were parked overnight and stole emergency hammers from the vehicles.
Three buses then had their windows smashed and the same culprits are believed to have gone on to damage cars which were parked along Hawksworth Road, Fownes Road, Alcombe Road, Field End, and Whitegate Road.At the time of writing, 18 vehicles had been reported to police as damaged.Police have been carrying out house to house inquiries in the area, but are keen to hear from anybody who may have witnessed any of the damage taking place, or who might know the offenders involved.
Anybody who can help should contact police through the secure Crimestoppers contact form at https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/crimestoppers/ContactForm.aspxOr, they can call the Crimestoppers freephone line on 0800 555 111, where they do not have to give their name and where they could receive a reward.

• Our photo shows the Mart Road industrial estate. Photo submitted.

Burglars target Exmoor woman, 83

POLICE are seeking three intruders who stole cash from the Exmoor home of an 83-year-old woman.
The woman disturbed three men who were in the sitting room of her home in Haddon View, Brompton Regis.
She found them looking through her writing desk and after a brief conversation the woman starting screaming and waving her walking stick at them.
The intruders fled, and it was then found that they had taken a quantity of cash.
The incident happened at about 3 pm on Monday, January 22.
Two of the offenders are described as aged between 30 and 40 years, clean shaven, of average height, and stocky.
They were wearing matching navy blue overalls of smart appearance.
There was also a third man, but no description is available.
Anybody who might have any information about the incident is asked to contact the Avon and Somerset Constabulary burglary team at Taunton Police Station by telephoning the lo-call number 0845 4567000.
Or, anybody who might be able to help the police can contact them through their secure Crimestoppers contact form at https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/crimestoppers/ContactForm.aspx.
Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Callers do not need to give their name, and they could receive a reward.

Photo submitted.