Criminals and opportunists are taking advantage of people in some of the areas worst hit by flooding.

Some thieves were trying yesterday to steal flood barriers to sell for scrap metal, while looters were spotted prowling around evacuated homes.

As the flooding began to recede, at least 16 cars emerging from the waters were targeted by thieves who smashed windows to rip out radios and searched the boots for valuables in Worcester and Gloucestershire.

There were also reports of some hoteliers increasing prices in an attempt to cash in on the large number of people left homeless. Meanwhile, rogue traders had bought up large stocks of bottled water, essential to hundreds of thousands of householders after the mains supply was cut off to the worst-affected areas, and were selling them for up to £5 a litre.

An Environment Agency spokesman said that some staff had been required to guard flood defences after gangs had been spotted in Bewdley, Worcestershire, trying to steal the barriers, which are designed to withstand great force and are made of high-grade steel. It is thought that the thieves intended to sell them as scrap metal.

John Adams, of the agency, said: “Our staff pulled out all the stops to get both barriers up at Bewdley. These are vital structures that have protected people’s homes and lives.

“It is shocking that anyone would take advantage of other people’s misfortune at this time and we are now having to move staff away from their vital work to act as security guards.”

Stocks of bottled water were running low yesterday as far west as Bristol. Some people had bought up vast quantities of bottled water before selling it on at extortionate prices to shoppers queueing outside supermarkets.

West Mercia Constabulary warned people also to be on their guard for criminals posing as water board engineers trying to gain access to homes to steal cash and jewellery.Tim Brain, the Chief Constable of Gloucestershire, said that looters, crooks and vandals looking to take advantage of the flooding and water shortage would be punished with the full force of the law. “If we get reports of crime and disorder we will take all the necessary action,” he said. “If people are calm and patient there is enough water for everyone’s daily needs. But that is not normal daily needs – I am just talking about drinking, cooking and basic sanitation.”

He added: “Things are better than they were, but that’s a marginal statement. This is an ongoing emergency, nowhere near recovery stage.”

Cheltenham General Hospital and Gloucestershire Royal Hospital said that they would fully reopen today after partially closing because of water shortages.

Red Cross appeal

— A British Red Cross appeal to raise money for flood victims received more than £300,000 in its first hour, the charity said

— It launched the National Floods Appeal to raise money for the most vulnerable individuals and communities hit by the floods

— Donations have been received from Tesco, Halifax and GlaxoSmithKline and £100,000 has been contributed from the Red Cross’s own disaster fund

— The charity said it would work with communities, local authorities and the Government to ensure that aid went to the most needy

— It has dozens of volunteers working in the affected areas, distributing food and water

— Readers can donate at: www.redcross.org.uk/floodsappeal or by calling 0845 0547200