Nearly 1,000 sandbags have been stolen from a north-west Victorian SES headquarters as the region continues to respond to flooding.
Mildura police believed the theft took place between Monday afternoon and lunchtime Tuesday and asked anyone with dashcam footage of the region to come forward.
The theft comes as residents in the tiny town of Iraak, south-east of Mildura, were told to evacuate immediately due to rapidly rising floodwaters.
Sergeant Lee Macintyre said the offenders most likely jumped a temporary fence to gain access to the SES building.
"They would have had with them a trailer of some description to haul the sandbags away," Sergeant Mcintyre said.
SES Mildura unit controller Brad Whelan said it was a sad situation.
"These sandbags were destined for community members who are actually suffering from the current flood emergency," he said.
"The sad thing is, because of the supply chain issues with sandbags, there's now 1,000s of sandbags that can't actually be distributed to these communities that are in desperate need."
Flood warnings in place
Numerous flood warnings remain in place for communities along the Murray River between Mildura and Swan Hill.
Mr Whelan said it was particularly disappointing that the sand bags were stolen as a "major flood" event headed towards Mildura.
"The compound itself is a locked compound," he said.
"Look, if you need sand bags, just call us."
Police have asked anyone with information to contact Mildura Police Station or Crime Stoppers.
