POLICE are warning members of the public to be smarter about their choices when it comes to flooding.

West Mercia Police said they had received reports of people in Bewdley taking "flood selfies" and received phone calls from residents with queries they could not help with.

The force tweeted: "We are aware of people trying to get close to floodwater in Bewdley to take pictures - please be sensible and don’t put yourselves at risk.

"Stay away from flood areas if you don’t have a genuine reason to be there."

They also warned flood water contains many harmful things including sewage, broken glass, oil and other debris washed down from rivers.

There is also the risk of being swept away by running water, as only six inches of water can be enough to sweep a car away.

Assistant chief constable Geoff Wessell said: "Not only are you putting yourselves at risk but if you get into difficulties you are putting your rescuers at risk as well. The conditions are dangerous. Stay away."

In addition to the flood selfies, West Mercia also said they had received more than 1,600 emergency 99 calls in addition to 5,000 non-emergency 101 calls over the weekend of February 15 and 16.

Some of the callers were enquiring about road closures and flooding updates, including one caller who wanted to know if the police could provide some water proof gear for wading through flood water.

A West Mercia Police spokesman said the best way to report non-emergency crime is using 101.

During particularly busy periods the best way to report crime to us is online: https://www.westmercia.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/