North of England floods: Looters prey on homes and businesses

Looters have struck flood-hit businesses and homes.

The Cycle Factory of Todmorden, a recently-opened Calderdale bike shop which was hit by the Boxing Day floods, has had a number of bikes stolen.

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 (sic) on flood victims."

Motor cycle clubs have offered to help police in the Calderdale Valleys region to clamp down on the thieves but West Yorkshire police said that patrols, aimed at reassuring flood victims, have been carried out by police and army personnel.

Some thieves are preying on residents who have left their property out to dry, according to West Yorkshire Police in the Calderdale Valleys.

A spokesman said: "As the clean-up of Mytholmroyd, Todmorden and Hebden Bridge continues, 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.

"In addition to this several motor cycle clubs from the Bradford and surrounding areas have volunteered to patrol the area as extra eyes and ears on the ground."