This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-35325974
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Cumbria floods: Homes thefts prompt private security patrols | |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Private security staff have been drafted in to patrol flood-hit areas of Cumbria to ensure the county does not become a "soft target" for criminals. | Private security staff have been drafted in to patrol flood-hit areas of Cumbria to ensure the county does not become a "soft target" for criminals. |
| The move was prompted after recent thefts from flooded homes, said Cumbria Police and the county council. | |
| Hundreds of properties were deluged during two recent storms which resulted in record rainfall. | Hundreds of properties were deluged during two recent storms which resulted in record rainfall. |
| The additional patrols are being paid for through the county's existing flood relief fund. | The additional patrols are being paid for through the county's existing flood relief fund. |
| The patrols are being undertaken in Carlisle, Appleby, Cockermouth, Kendal, Keswick and Penrith between 16:00 and 08:00 each night and are expected to last until mid-February. | The patrols are being undertaken in Carlisle, Appleby, Cockermouth, Kendal, Keswick and Penrith between 16:00 and 08:00 each night and are expected to last until mid-February. |
| Staff are being sourced by recruitment firm Randstat. | Staff are being sourced by recruitment firm Randstat. |
| A force spokesman said: "The security officers are being used to provide additional support to the police, but have not replaced police patrols or undertaken police responsibilities. | A force spokesman said: "The security officers are being used to provide additional support to the police, but have not replaced police patrols or undertaken police responsibilities. |
| "This a precautionary measure to ensure Cumbria remains a low crime area and not a soft target as people recover from the impact of the floods. | "This a precautionary measure to ensure Cumbria remains a low crime area and not a soft target as people recover from the impact of the floods. |
| "The use of a private security firm is not something that is normally required, however, on this occasion we felt it would be a positive approach to reassure the public during a difficult and challenging time for many people." | "The use of a private security firm is not something that is normally required, however, on this occasion we felt it would be a positive approach to reassure the public during a difficult and challenging time for many people." |
| A county council spokesman added: "These are unprecedented times for the county. | A county council spokesman added: "These are unprecedented times for the county. |
| "We're trying to help people affected by the floods as much as possible, and using private security to support the police and help safeguard flooded properties is part of that effort. | "We're trying to help people affected by the floods as much as possible, and using private security to support the police and help safeguard flooded properties is part of that effort. |
| "Anyone who's been a victim of the floods has been through more than enough already, the last thing they need is to become a victim of crime as well." | "Anyone who's been a victim of the floods has been through more than enough already, the last thing they need is to become a victim of crime as well." |
| One man has already been jailed for stealing property from flood-damaged homes in Carlisle. | One man has already been jailed for stealing property from flood-damaged homes in Carlisle. |