Police say number of mourners ‘not forseen by family’
NO fines were issued and no arrests were made after ‘hundreds’ of mourners turned up to a funeral in Rochdale, police have confirmed.
Officers were called to Denehurst Cemetery at around 2pm on Monday (September 28) after a ‘large crowd’ gathered for a funeral in breach of Covid restrictions.
Under current coronavirus rules, the maximum number of people allowed at a funeral is 30.
But pictures showed ‘hundreds’ of mourners at the funeral, which the Observer understands was being held for two members of the same family.
Crowds spilled over onto the car park of Rochdale AFC’s ground nearby.
Detectives at Greater Manchester Police have now confirmed that no arrests were made and no Fixed Penalty Notices were issued following the breach.
Police said the large number of mourners who attended the funeral ‘was not foreseen by staff at the cemetery or the immediate family,’ therefore they ‘are not looking to prosecute anyone in relation to this gathering.’
Officers ‘engaged with the attendees’ and ‘encouraged them to disperse which they complied with.’
In a statement, a GMP spokesperson said: “Shortly after 2pm on Monday 28 September 2020, police were called to reports of a large gathering at a funeral at Denehurst cemetery in Rochdale which was in breach of COVID restrictions.
“Officers attended and established that the large number of attendees had not been expected by staff or the immediate family.
“Officers engaged with the attendees and advised them of the current restrictions in place which lead to the group dispersing.
“No arrests were made and no Fixed Penalty Notices were issued.”
Inspector Andrew Fern, of GMP’s Rochdale division, said the family of the deceased ‘were compliant with Covid restrictions’ when they planned the funeral.
They did not anticipate that so many mourners would turn out to pay their respects, he added.
“The large number of mourners who attended this funeral yesterday was not foreseen by staff at the cemetery or the immediate family, and as such we are not looking to prosecute anyone in relation to this gathering”, Insp Fern said.
“Our officers attended and respectfully engaged with the mourners, advising them of the social distancing guidelines and encouraging them to disperse which they complied with.
“I would like to take this opportunity to remind the public of the importance of observing the regulations and guidelines in relation to gatherings such as this, and would like to thank all of those who have complied with these regulations at what we understand is an extremely challenging time, especially when faced with the loss of a loved one.
“As we head into the winter months, COVID is still very much a big threat to our community, and as such I appeal to the public to please play your part and follow the regulations to help keep our community safe and save lives.”
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Rochdale Council said it was ‘difficult to manage’ the gathering as it was being held in an open public space.
A council spokesperson said: “We are aware of a large gathering at a funeral at Denehurst cemetery on Monday 28 September, which clearly breached the maximum number of mourners currently allowed at a funeral under current restrictions and social distancing expectations.
“The large numbers attended were not expected or anticipated by staff at the cemetery, with mourners turning up after the funeral had taken place.
“This was an extremely sad loss to the family, who were prepared to follow the restrictions in place as advised by the council; but extended family and friends still came to pay respects.
The majority of these people were away from the graveside and gathered on the other side of the road.
“As Denehurst is an open public space, large gatherings such as this can be difficult to manage and officers and PCSOs from Greater Manchester Police attended to help with traffic management to get people away from the area quickly.
“We continue to work closely with local community groups, funeral directors and Greater Manchester Police to ensure that gatherings of this nature are prevented.
“We will also be reminding people that there is a maximum of 30 people allowed at any funeral and to encourage people to stagger visits to pay their respects.”
In a statement posted online, a spokesperson from Rochdale AFC said: “Rochdale AFC is aware of social media posts linking the Club with a large scale gathering at the nearby Denehurst Cemetery, as well as on our car park.
“The Club were not involved in the organisation of this funeral and no permission was given by the Club for the car park to be used in this manner.
“Whilst our sympathies are with the bereaved family, the Football Club would like to reiterate the message that the observation of social distancing and all Government guidelines regarding Covid 19 are paramount. Therefore, the Police and Council were informed immediately.”