'Nothing untoward in treatment of loved ones' say police as local funeral firm rushes to reassure own clients
Police say have ‘not found anything untoward in respect of the treatment or storage of peoples’ loved ones’ following raid but other Lancashire undertakers’ have rushed to provide reassurance.
Lancashire funeral directors have rushed to provide reassurance to their own clients following a police raid at an undertakers in Preston this morning.
Two people were arrested after police raided both branches of Martin’s Funeral Directors in Tulketh Brow, Ashton and Stone Bridge Parade, Longridge at around 8am.
Lancashire Police confirmed an investigation is continuing but is focused “solely on potential financial irregularities relating to the business”. They added that ongoing enquiries should not impact on the business continuing to provide funeral services at this time.
It follow dramatic scenes earlier today with police and crime scene investigators at the properties.
Meanwhile, William Houghton Funeral Directors, a family owned, independent funeral service supporting the communities of Longridge, Fulwood, Ingol and surrounding areas and unconnected to the police investigation, issued a statement arguing for compulsory membership of governing body NAFD (National Association of Funeral Directors).
It read; “Following the distressing news that the Police are conducting enquiries at Martin’s the funeral directors, we would like to reassure the public that the majority of funeral directors are caring and trustworthy professionals
“Like many others we belong to the NAFD and we abide to the UK Funeral Director Code. We were recently inspected by the NAFD in February and by both Lancashire Coroners service and our local environmental health officers. The problem is that belonging to a governing body is voluntary and not compulsory. We believe that statutory regulation should be mandatory and enforced, as it is in Scotland.
“Our thoughts go out to Martin’s clients and the families of those whose loved ones are currently at their premises. We are now helping some of those families to make alternative arrangements and endeavouring to bring their loved ones into our care. “
Police said in statement regarding the raid at Martin’s: “Officers have carried out thorough searches of the addresses, accompanied by a public health inspector, and we have not found anything untoward in respect of the treatment or storage of peoples’ loved ones.
“Our investigation is continuing but is focussed solely on potential financial irregularities relating to the business. Our ongoing enquiries will not impact on the business continuing to provide funeral services at this time.
“Two people, a man in his 60s and a woman in her 50s, both from Preston, were arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation and are currently in custody. We appreciate that reading about this may cause concern, but we wanted to provide some context and reassure you about the nature of our investigation.
“If you do have any information or concerns, you can call us on 101 quoting log 0212 of April 28.”