Looters hamper rescue efforts in tornado-ravaged Alabama - 1st May 2011

Looters are hampering attempts by ordinary residents to get their lives back on track in the tornado-ravaged city state of Alabama

Police imposed an 8pm curfew in the areas affected and military police began patrolling the streets amid reports of burglaries in homes and stolen cars.

Those residents who chose to stayed behind were forced to mount a 24-hour guard to stop their belongings from being taken from their stricken houses.

The lootings cast a shadow over the otherwise positive response from community in Alabama, which was the worst affected by the tragedy.

Military sources confirmed that looting had been taking place but that it was 'far less frequent than we expected'.

'There are some people who are using this as a chance to take something for themselves,' the source said.

Shirley Long, from Tuscaloosa, where 42 people died, was a victim of the scavengers.

She said: ‘The first night they took my jewellery, my watch, my guns. Read More