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.
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.
Lancashire Police have stressed that their investigation relates to ‘potential financial irregularities’ and that searches had found nothing ‘untoward’ in how the business treats the deceased.
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
Martin’s Funeral Directors in Ashton-on-Ribble was raided by police today following ‘concerns about some of the practices’ taking place at the business
A hand-written sign on the door of one of the parlours reads: ‘Closed – please do not enter.’
In an updated 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, and this morning we carried out warrants at three addresses in Preston and Longridge as part of our enquiries.
‘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 focused 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.’
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.
Lancashire Police have set up a public portal where information can be passed on – it can be accessed here.
