Man and woman held after funeral directors raided

4 hours ago

Emma StanleyNorth West

News image — Police said it first received reports of concerns about Martin's funeral directors earlier this month

Google Streetview image of the funeral directors in Longridge. A red brick building with a brown arched door to the left and a window to the right with a vertical cream blind. — Police said it first received reports of concerns about Martin's funeral directors earlier this month

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of fraud after a funeral directors was raided by police.

Lancashire Police said its investigation of Martin's funeral directors in Preston was "focused solely on potential financial irregularities relating to the business".

The force said earlier this month it was contacted with "concerns about some of the practices" at the firm but had "not found anything untoward in respect of the treatment or storage of peoples' loved ones".

Three addresses in Preston and Longridge were searched and a man in his 60s and a woman in her 50s, both from Preston, were arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation.

The searches were at Stonebridge Parade in Longridge, Tulketh Brow in Ashton-on-Ribble and The Friars in Fulwood.

In a statement, police added: "Our ongoing enquiries will not impact on the business continuing to provide funeral services at this time."

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