UK troops sent to quell Irma island chaos
British troops and police officers have been deployed to halt looting in the British Virgin Islands after the overseas territory was battered by the deadly Hurricane Irma.
Meanwhile, the ferocious storm swept across Florida leaving at least three people dead and over 1.5 million people with no power.
British troops and police have been deployed to restore law and order on the British Virgin Islands after reports of looting in the wake of Hurricane Irma, the Defence Secretary has said.
Around 500 British troops have been sent to the region, with 120 stationed in the British Virgin Islands, which has been devastated by the historic storm.
Asked how big the problem was in the British territory, Sir Michael Fallon told BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show: “There has been a security issue there and that’s why we’re now prioritising getting armed troops in and police coming in behind them to strengthen the local police force.
“You can understand the island has been devastated, it’s been difficult for people to move around until you get helicopters there, but there are troops now there assisting the Governor to ensure law and order is maintained.”
Responding to criticism over the Government’s response to the disaster, Sir Michael pointed to the 16,000-tonne aid ship Mounts Bay, equipped with marines, a helicopter, and pallets of aid, which was stationed in the Caribbean for the hurricane season.
“We prepositioned a ship in the Caribbean for the hurri- cane season,” he said. “Mounts Bay was not there by chance.
“We prepositioned our ship there to help on the islands, she’s already been helping on the islands and as soon as we were clear which airfields could be used we got our flights in.
“We have troops helping at the moment.”
Marines, engineers, medics and specialists, including Army and RAF personnel, have been deployed in the region.
The Ministry of Defence said their priority was “establishing security and law and order before providing humanitarian assistance before the arrival of Hurricane Jose”.
Meanwhile, Britons in the path of the historic storm in the US mainland are being warned the “situation could deteriorate significantly” as it bears down on Florida.
Prime Minister Theresa May said work was taking place with US authorities to ensure British expats and tourists in Florida were protected as millions of locals and visitors flee to safety.
But the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has said that its ability to provide assistance to British citizens may be “extremely limited” and advised those affected to make their own contingency plans.