Traffic has returned to normal on the A385 near Totnes after a police incident caused major disruption and left the road closed for several hours.

The eastbound carriageway between the Berry Pomeroy turning and Glazegate Lane, Longcombe, has reopened following the removal of fallen power cables.

The road was initially closed in both directions shortly after 4am today (Thursday, November 5), following reports of an accident and fallen cables between Blagdon Road, Paignton, and Southfield, Berry Pomeroy.

Traffic updates later confirmed the eastbound closure remained in place, with congestion building on alternative routes through Berry Pomeroy as motorists were diverted away from the scene.

The incident is understood to have involved a police vehicle which responded to reports of a stolen car in Plympton.

There are also reports that an officer sustained minor injuries after losing control of the police vehicle during a pursuit of the suspected stolen car.

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “We were called at around 1.35am on Thursday, 5 November, following a report of a vehicle being stolen from outside a property in South View Park, Plympton.

“A police vehicle located and followed the stolen vehicle before losing control on the A385 between Totnes and Paignton.

“One officer sustained a minor injury as a result.

“No other vehicles were involved in the collision.

“National Grid has attended the scene to make fallen power cables safe.

“Enquiries to locate the stolen vehicle remain ongoing.”

Devon and Cornwall Police traffic monitoring services subsequently reported that the fallen power cables had been removed and traffic was flowing normally again on the eastbound carriageway.