FUNERAL DIRECTORS INVESTIGATED BY POLICE

Police are investigating possible fraud offences at a funeral directors.

Thames Valley Police carried out warrants at the premises of R&H Barker in Harcourt Road, Wantage, and Wantage Road, Didcot, on Sunday.

It is also looking into the prevention of a lawful and decent burial, but stressed this was related "to one individual only".

Police were made aware of concerns relating to the company's business practices on 10 April.

Thames Valley Police said it carried out a "number of immediate enquiries", then carried out the two warrants.

"As a result of these warrants, we are now working together with partners including Environmental Health to investigate business practices at the sites," it said.

"Our focus is on fraud offences and one offence of prevention of a lawful and decent burial.

"At this stage of the investigation we have found no evidence of any criminal offence and no arrests have been made."

It said while it understood its enquiries into the prevention of a lawful and decent burial would be of concern to people who had used the business, it related to a single case, and it was working to contact the next of kin.

"We do not believe that any other families are impacted," it added.

The business will be closed during the investigation.

Two families due to use the service have been contacted by police and are being supported by officers.

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2024-04-17T15:51:37Z dg43tfdfdgfd