West Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and the Temporary Chief Constable (T/CC) of West Yorkshire Police are to give £40,000 to West Yorkshire flood victims. The money will be used to support the most vulnerable victims in all three areas.
The floods which devastated parts of Calderdale, Leeds and Bradford on Boxing Day left an untold amount of damage across the areas which affected thousands of local people.
Both the PCC and T/CC have visited the areas affected by flooding, and the impact of the floods was discussed at a meeting last month following the involvement of West Yorkshire Police and partners in relief effort. The PCC - Mark Burns-Williamson - visited Kirkstall yesterday and saw first-hand the damage done to local businesses and how they are repairing the damage and moving forwards.
Mark Burns-Williamson said: "I have thanked West Yorkshire Police for leading the initial co-ordination of the response to the flooding in West Yorkshire through the local resilience multi-agency forum. The response was a credit to them and the other emergency services involved and particularly to our communities who rallied round tremendously to help.
"I have personally seen some of the devastation caused by the floods and have been able to visit some of the areas and organisations that have helped support the victims and businesses with the clean-up. I am delighted that we are able to provide this money to help support the most vulnerable people impacted by the floods.
West Yorkshire Police Temporary Chief Constable Dee Collins, said: "Communities in West Yorkshire are still managing the after effects of the severe flooding they experienced and we have been pleased to donate funds to projects which will play a part in helping those communities recover.
"The flooding saw the emergency services, Environment Agency, Army and utilities companies work in true partnership to lead the emergency response on the ground and keep people safe.
"It is no exaggeration to say residents faced a situation which was dreadful and truly dangerous and I want to thank them for the support they showed both the authorities and each other.
"West Yorkshire Police also continues to work closely with its partners in the West Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum (WYLRF) to provide assistance to home owners and businesses which suffered so significantly when flood waters struck."
The £40,000 will come from the Police Property Act Fund which is made up of monies received by the police from the sale of found property and from property confiscated by order of Court and then sold. Funds can be used to support local projects and charitable organisations that solely benefit West Yorkshire's communities.
The one-off donation will be made via the Calderdale and Leeds Community Foundations who have both established a flood appeal in conjunction with their local Councils.
City presents Windrush pioneer with prestigious Leeds Award
More Than 10,000 Arrests Made By Team Dedicated To Reducing Violent Crime
Plate expectations as historic registration could be up for sale
Calderdale: Celebrating over 350 years of service at Council
Activists who caused £100,000 worth of damage sentenced
Appeal Following Collision and Death of Man in Otley, Leeds
Vehicle involved in fly tipping across West and North Yorkshire seized by Bradford Council
Anti-social behaviour funding boost in Clitheroe, Colne and Darwen
Leeds City Council to launch review on taxi vehicle condition standards
Man Named After Fatal Road Traffic Collision, Leeds Road, Bradford
Over £4,000 raised for Mental Health Charity in Bradford
Bhangra Nights
Alim OnAir
Legal Show
Remix Saturdays