‘Why haven’t cops fined the funeral organisers?’
COUNCIL LEADER URGES THE CHIEF CONSTABLE TO UPHOLD COVID RULES
A COUNCIL leader has written a letter to Leicestershire’s Chief Constable asking if he is going to take action after “up to 70” mourners attended a funeral in Market Harborough.
Councillor Phil King, leader of Harborough District Council has emailed Simon Cole asking him why no fine has been issued after reports that more than double the 30 people allowed to attend a funeral were at the service on Thursday, November 12, as already reported in the Mercury.
Police have admitted that “additional mourners” did go along to pay their respects, but insisted it passed off in a “safe and peaceful manner”.
They have said their officers at the service counted “around 32 people” there who were socially distanced, but a witness has claimed he saw about 20 vehicles and up to 70 people at the funeral at the council-run cemetery, which is said to have been for a member of the travellers community.
Coun King said: “I have written to Simon Cole, the Chief Constable, and asked what he intends to do about the situation.
“I have been told that there were up to 70 people at the funeral and the police were there, yet nothing was done.
“No fine was issued despite it being in clear breach of the Government coronavirus rule of no more than 30 people at a funeral.
“The message this sends out is wrong. What is says is that there is one rule for one and another rule for others.
“It does not matter which community or group was involved. Rules are rules.
“The vast majority of people have abided by the regulations when it comes to funerals and this has been a cause of great distress but they have respected the law.
“We can’t have one group being seen to being treated differently.”
Coun King said the lack of action was in direct contrast to Northamptonshire Police, who are looking to fine people for a similar breach of Covid-19 regulations.
Our sister website Northants -Live reported that the force is set to issue a fine of up to £10,000 after crowds gathered at a funeral in Kettering town centre on November 9.
Northamptonshire Police Chief Constable Nick Adderley said: “It is exceptionally frustrating when we see a group of people with no regard for other people’s safety completely flouting the restrictions and having the type of funeral many people would have loved to have had but have been unable to hold, simply because they think they are above the law.
“While I, of course, sympathise with anyone who has lost a loved one, it cannot be one rule for some people and another rule for others, and no one is above the law.
“This is why Northamptonshire Police is seeking to issue its first £10,000 fine to the organisers of this funeral for their total disrespect of the restrictions put in place to keep us all safe.
“This may seem like a harsh course of action to some but I do not apologise whatsoever when I have seen so many painful sacrifices made throughout this pandemic by law-abiding citizens I have a duty towards.”
Coun King said: “This happened just ten miles away and it was a similar situation. The police just over the county border are looking to fine someone for breaking the same laws – the laws that apply to everyone in the country. Here in Leicestershire nothing is done.
“At a time when we are facing ever-increasing Covid-19 rates in the local community we need a strong message to remind people
to stay safe and abide by the rules to try to fight this virus.
“It seems that Leicestershire Police are taking no action on this matter and it gives out the wrong message. People will see that and think, ‘Why should we stick to the rules when others don’t and are not penalised?’”
A Leicestershire Police spokesperson said Mr Cole had replied to Coun King.
She said: “We received advanced notice of a funeral due to take place at the Evangelical Church in Bath Road, Market Harborough on Thursday (November 12).
“Police, along with colleagues from partner agencies, engaged with members of the deceased’s family prior to the funeral.
“The deceased’s family acknowledged the restrictions currently in place that limit the number of funeral attendees to 30 people.
“It was agreed officers from the Market Harborough Neighbourhood Policing Area (NPA) would monitor proceedings.
“Officers counted that around 32 mourners had attended to pay their respects, but remained at a safe distance from one another in line with the current restrictions and the funeral took place in a safe and peaceful manner.”