POLICE say they are winning the battle to stop crooks from targeting flood-hit homes and businesses – but looters have still struck more than 30 times since the turn of the year.

Figures obtained exclusively by the News & Star reveal that a total of 31 crimes against flood-affected properties have been logged with Cumbria police since the beginning of January.

Officers across the county say they have already successfully caught a number of looters.

They admit there are people who have illegally cashed in on the floods, describing their actions as “shameful”.

In the immediate aftermath of Storm Desmond there were a number of incidents reported across Cumbria with thieves looking to profit from the devastation.

Since January, 22 incidents have been in Carlisle, three in west Cumbria and one in the south of the county.

The other five have taken place across Appleby, Pooley Bridge and Watermillock.

Fifteen of the total were burglaries at homes. Two of these were attempts.

Eleven were burglaries from other types of premises. One of these was an attempted burglary. There were five thefts.


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One of the repeated victims of looting before the turn of the year was Carlisle Cricket Club, which was targeted three times during December.

Chairman Mike Rayson described the effect.

“It’s bad enough being flooded out but to find someone has burgled your place, it was worse than the floods,” he said.


Alan Smith Alan Smith, the leader of Allerdale council, has been one of the key figures in helping Cockermouth recover since December.

He condemned the actions of those taking advantage of flooded properties.

Mr Smith said: “In society we have a certain percentage of people that will profit out of other people’s misery.

“It’s sad that we have that when people are flooded out there are people going through their belongings like vultures trying to cash in.”

Superintendent Mark Pannone said: “Cumbria Constabulary has been working closely with Cumbria County Council and a private security firm in our attempts to keep people’s homes and businesses safe from these criminals with a good level of success in both prevention and also prosecuting those who have committed offences.”