OFFICERS have spent a month in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), providing relief support after the devastation of Hurricane Irma.

Inspector Phil Hutchinson, of Lancashire Police, led a team of 50 UK officers, including four from Lancashire to provide voluntary support in whatever way possible to help the local communities.

During their time in the Caribbean, they provided extra resource to the local police and offered much-needed support to the local community who are trying to rebuild their lives following Irma.

Amongst their efforts, the 50 officers helped to rebuild a school and constructed six new classrooms, delivered aid packages and donated blood to help those in hospital.

Officers also rebuilt a home for a vulnerable member of the community and provided hands-on training to Virgin Island officers whose training was 'sparse' and 'ad-hoc'.

Inspector Phil Hutchinson of Lancashire Constabulary said: “It’s been emotional to see the devastation that the hurricane has caused with our own eyes, but that’s what has made the experience even more rewarding. "Although our efforts were small in comparison to the scale of the damage, it’s clear that we’ve made a real difference to people’s lives."