Maureen Gilbert: Derbyshire Police investigate role in flooding death

Police are to investigate the role of officers after an 83-year-old woman died in flooding during Storm Babet.

Maureen Gilbert was found dead at her home in Tapton Terrace, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, on 21 October.

Derbyshire Police made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as officers were involved in the evacuation of homes in the area the previous day.

The IOPC has decided the matter should be dealt with locally by the force.

Derbyshire Police said: "The force will now be reviewing the role of the force in relation to Ms Gilbert's death.

"Her family have been updated and are being supported by specialist officers from the force who will be keeping in regular contact."

A separate coroner investigation into the circumstances of Ms Gilbert's death will be carried out, the force added.

But this will be examined by officers separate to the probe into the force's response.

Ms Gilbert's neighbours previously described how several feet of water engulfed their homes after the River Rother burst its banks.

Around 400 homes in Chesterfield were evacuated.

Ms Gilbert was one of at least seven people across the country who died as a result of the storm.

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was carrying out an internal investigation into the response and the evacuation of homes in the area.

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