Feb 23, 2021
Police form ring of steel around traveller funeral and mourners’ street procession after fears of Covid breaches
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MORE than 100 Hertfordshire police formed a ring of steel around a traveller funeral to ensure Covid restrictions weren't breached.
Officers were out in force around St Helen's Catholic Church in North Watford after they received reports that hundreds could try to attend the funeral.
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.. 7Police liaised with mourners in front of the church to ensure not covid laws were breached 7The horse-drawn carriage of the deceased woman 7Mourners at the graveyard earlier todayUnder the coronavirus laws, a maximum of 30 people are permitted to attend a funeral service.
From first light this morning, police began taking up positions around St Helen's church with police vehicles parking in the surrounding streets.
The operation is thought to have cost tens of thousands of pounds and included dozens of police motorcycles and six riot vans, the Daily Mail reports.
There 30 mourners inside the church but a dozen attended and stayed outside police lines.
Onlookers estimated that the police in attendance outnumbered the mourners by three-to-one.
7It is estimated to have cost the police tens of thousands of pounds today 7Mourners making their way to the funeral wearing jackets with a picture of the deceased womanHertfordshire Constabulary said it had been liaising with family members, funeral directors, church, local authority and other agencies ahead of the funeral.
The coffin was transferred to a glass carriage pulled by four horses with black that led 30 mourners into the cemetery at Dunstable.
One of the limousines had the word 'MUMMY' written in blue and white flowers.
Once more a large police presence was in the area to make sure only 30 mourners including close family were at the graveside.
“The deceased person has a large family and it is likely that well over the permitted 30-people will attempt to attend the funeral,” said Superintendent Nick Caveney.
“Whilst our sympathies are with the bereaved family at what is understandably a very difficult time, observing lockdown rules is absolutely paramount, to help stop the spread of the virus and save lives.
“I sympathise with anyone who is grieving the loss of a relative at this time and I understand that it is really difficult not being able to mourn in the way you normally would.
"However, we all have to remember that the rules are in place for a reason and the vast majority of people are doing the right thing.”
Most read in NewsLive BlogPOLITICS LIVESocial distancing laws to be SCRAPPED & we must live with virus, Hancock saysKNIFE TERRORKnifewoman whispered 'sorry princess' as she knifed pal tied to bed 18 times'HELLSTORM OF GRIEF'Mom's pain as girl, 4, accidentally hanged herself with unicorn helmetTV STAR SEARCHIbiza Weekender star, 21, found safe after going missing for 5 daysPicturedPAWNBROKER MURDERFamily 'devastated' as man, 21, knifed to death outside Cash ConvertersPOLE STAR TORMENTBritish pole-dancing champion, 27, hanged herself after lockdown struggleEarlier today Peter Taylor, the Mayor of Watford, said that police would ensure there would be "minimal impact on Watford residents".
"Safety is our number one priority, which is why the police are taking precautions and will be increasing police presence in north Watford before, during and after the funeral," he said.
"Although we sympathise with the bereaved, we have made it very clear that large gatherings will not be tolerated and we expect COVID-19 rules to be followed by everyone.”
7Police vans at the Catholic church earlier today 7Onlookers estimated that there were roughly three police officers to one mournerNews Source: the-sun.com
Tags: police presence catholic church hanged herself the deceased to have cost mourners
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