UK flooding: Thieves stealing clothes left out to dry after wet weather, police warn

Additional police officers have been called into the Calerdale Valleys area to ensure safety of evacuated homes

(PA)

Police have warned that thieves are looting belongings left out to dry by flood victims in northern England.

A statement posted on Facebook by police in the Calerdale Valleys area said additional officers had been called in to ensure the safety of evacuated homes.

It came as a bike shop in the west Yorkshire borough posted on Facebook to say it was targeted by “scum of the Earth” thieves, with several bicycles stolen.

The Facebook post, added by a local sergeant, said: “We are being made aware of persons attending the area and removing items which are being left outside properties either for disposal or to dry out.

“In order to ensure the safety of empty properties in the area additional police resources have been drafted in from other districts and areas.”

The post also said “several motor cycle clubs… have volunteered to patrol the area as extra eyes and ears on the ground”. However, a West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said this offer was “politely declined”.

The spokesperson said “reassurance patrols” were carried out by officers.

Local business the Cycle Factory of Todmorden took to Facebook to list nine bikes it claims were taken by looters after it was badly damaged by flooding.

In a Facebook post it said: “Struggling for words here we got flooded on Saturday as did a lot of people. Last night we were robbed by the scum of the earth praying on flood victims.”

Calderdale suffered badly from the flooding after the River Calder broke its banks on Boxing Day afternoon. Calderdale Council said at least 2,000 homes and 200 businesses were affected.