Two funeral homes in Lancashire have been raided by police, with forensics teams and sniffer dogs taking part in searches. Officers descended on two branches of Martin’s Funeral Directors this morning following 'concerns about some of the practices' taking place at the parlours. They are also carrying out searches of a private address nearby.
Arrests Made
A man in his 60s and a woman in her 50s, both from the local area, have been arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation and remain in custody for questioning. The operation is understood to relate to alleged financial irregularities, rather than concerns over how bodies are treated by the business.
Details of the Raids
Officers raided the two properties - in Tulketh Brow, Ashton-on-Ribble and Stonebridge Parade, Longridge - at around 8am today. They are also carrying out searches at a private property in Fulwood. Forensics teams as well as officers with sniffer dogs could be seen entering the funeral parlours. Police vehicles outside Martin's Funeral Directors in Ashton-on-Ribble, Lancashire today. A hand-written sign on the door of one of the parlours reads: 'Closed - please do not enter.'
Police Statement
In a statement today, Lancashire Police said: 'Earlier this month we were contacted in relation to concerns about some of the practices at Martin's Funeral Directors. While we remain in the early stages of assessing that information we have this morning carried out warrants at three addresses in Preston and Longridge as part of our enquiries. Police officers remain on scene and are carrying out searches at the properties on Stone Bridge Parade, Longridge, Tulketh Brow in Ashton on Ribble and The Friars in Fulwood. Two people, a man in his 60s and a woman in her 50s, both from Preston, have been arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation and are currently in custody. We appreciate that reading about this may cause concern but while enquiries remain at this early stage it would be inappropriate to comment any further.'
No Connection to Previous Case
The investigation is not connected with the jailing of depraved former employee Nigel Robinson-Wright. The perverted undertaker, who referred to dead bodies as 'fit' and invited another man to the mortuary to have sex with a corpse, was jailed for 17 years in 2022.
