York's emergency flood response group stands down

At the height of the floods hundreds of homes in York were inundated or cut off by the water

The multi-agency emergency flood response team in York and North Yorkshire has stood down.

Silver Command is chaired by North Yorkshire Police and includes local councils and the emergency services.

The police said the decision had been reached in order to enable agencies to get on with recovery work.

York, Selby, Cawood, Tadcaster and Malton were affected by serious flooding on Boxing Day as river levels rose following heavy rain.

Ken Mcintosh, Assistant Chief Constable, said the flooding had been "extremely challenging" to deal with.

"While the emergency situation is now under control, with the Environment Agency confirming the river levels and flood-hit areas no longer pose an imminent threat, the hard work will continue as we do everything in our collective power to return the affected communities to normality as quickly as possible.

"We share the heartache of those residents and businesses who have been hit hard by the floodwater.

Jeremy Corbyn praised the efforts of those involved in Silver Command, describing it as "very impressive"

Recovery efforts are being bolstered by an army of volunteers and hundreds of donations

"It is a truly devastating experience and we want them to know that they are not alone. Help and support is available to them."

Mr Mcintosh said high visibility patrols would continue after it emerged about a dozen flood victims' homes in York had been targeted by burglars.

Earlier Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn visited the group's headquarters at Fulford Road police station in York as well as meeting people whose homes had been flooded.

Mr Corbyn said: "Obviously it is terrifying when people see river levels rising, massive rainfall and the danger of flooding and then you realise the importance of the co-ordination of all the services.

"It is an amazing level of co-operation and co-ordination."