Olivier Vergnault

Hundreds of residents in South View Park, Plympton, say their homes and gardens have been overwhelmed by millions of tiny, harmless ant-like beetles. Becky and her wife Charlie have taped up windows and tried vacuuming, pesticides and soapy water, but the insects continue returning and entering through small gaps. The beetles may be Anthicidae, possibly driven into residential areas by extreme heat and drying soil. A local farmer and agronomist planned to cultivate the nearby field to assess whether it would reduce the infestation.

Looe RNLI volunteers rescued a kayaker who was blown offshore near Plaidy Beach in strong winds on August 15, marking the team’s sixth recent incident involving a kayak or paddleboard. The kayaker was uninjured and taken safely to family on shore. RNLI and Paddle UK warned against launching inflatable craft in offshore winds and advised people in difficulty to lie or kneel on the craft, wear a buoyancy aid, use a leash, carry a means of calling for help, and contact the coastguard via 999 if necessary.

Firefighters from Saltash attended an out-of-control bonfire at 9:28 a.m. on August 15, shortly after a national emergency alert warned people in England and Wales about heightened wildfire risks. The alert urged residents to avoid bonfires, disposable barbecues, campfires and fireworks, and to dispose of cigarettes safely. Saltash Fire Station warned that dry conditions are placing significant pressure on fire and rescue services and that avoidable fires could tie up crews needed for other emergencies. The incident occurred amid a wider government response to a heatwave and wildfires, including measures associated with Andy Burnham, a proposed ban on disposable barbecues and plans to commission firefighting aircraft.