THERE was further misery for flood victims this week as thieves struck- a business had £1,200 worth of goods stolen during a clean up and in Marlow fraudsters took and sold sandbags to residents.

Amersham Blinds in School Lane, Old Amersham had tables, vases and a plant stolen overnight between February 13 and 14 as water was being pumped out of its premises.

While Marlow's mayor was "disgusted" following reports of fraudsters stealing council sandbags and attempting to sell them to flood-hit residents.

Cllr Suzanne Brown said she had heard of one couple paying £400 for sandbags, which were suspected to have been taken from Wycombe District Council delivery trucks.

She said: "We were knocking on doors and making sure residents were ok and to let them know that sandbags were coming, and we heard some people had been trying to sell them.

"We have had people taking the bags before we can get there and stealing them from different areas in town.

"I was disgusted to hear it, there were people in really dire need and to think people took advantage is horrible."

The family run business, Amersham Blinds, in Old Amersham was flooded on February 8, after the River Misbourne burst its banks.

Owners sisters Mel Bastin and Gemma Jones had to leave some of the site open more than they usually would so water could be continually pumped out of their premises.

Mel, 39, whose husband John Greenaway also runs the business with them, said: "The whole park has been flooded. Water has been pumping out of the river to divert the flood but The Maltings, where we are based, has been under a foot and a half of water, which flooded the downstairs.

"Then we were burgled last Friday morning."

Flooding has caused devastation for many in south Bucks and millions of litres of water has been pumped to try and alleviate the flooded areas.

Mel said it was a shock to find out thieves had struck after they were already coping with the floods, which she said have been "devastating."

They took over the family business, which sells blinds, tracks, curtains and poles, about seven years ago from their mother, who ran it for 35 to 40 years.

Mel said business is now back to normal they are holding a launch party for their new show room on February 27 from 2 to 8pm.

Unconfirmed reports in Marlow have also emerged that supermarkets were approached for food, with people claiming to be collecting refreshments for firefighters and then disappearing.

Inspector Scott Messenger, who heads up the Marlow policing team, said he was aware of the claims but that no official complaint has been submitted from High Street stores. He added that while sandbags are believed to have been taken, the supply from WDC was plentiful and that there were enough to go around.

Anyone with any information regarding the thefts is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111