Bodies were removed from a Legacy Independent Funeral Directors home in Hull (Picture: PA)
Police have removed a number of bodies from a funeral home after ‘concerns for the care of the deceased’.
Legacy Independent Funeral Directors – which has three branches, two in Hull and one in East Riding of Yorkshire – is being investigated by Humberside Police.
The force received a report on Wednesday about concerns regarding the ‘storage and management processes relating to care of the deceased’.
It said it was in the process of moving bodies from the Hessle Road branch in Hull to a local authority mortuary.
Police cordons remain in place at all three branches.
Asst Chief Constable Thom McLoughlin said: ‘We received a report on Wednesday, March 6 expressing concern about the storage and management processes relating to care of the deceased in these locations.
‘Since the initial report was made on Wednesday, March 6, teams of highly skilled detectives and specially trained staff from Humberside Police have been working closely with partner agencies, including Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and His Majesty’s Coroner.
Police outside the Beckside branch of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull (Picture: Danny Lawson/PA Wire)
‘Together we have been conducting extensive inquiries to fully understand the circumstances and concerns expressed in the report made to us.
‘As part of this, we are now in the process of moving a number of deceased from the premises on Hessle Road in Hull to the local authority mortuary in Hull.’
He said specially trained family liaison officers are in contact with the families involved.
‘Our dedicated phone line remains open today and I encourage anyone who has used Legacy Independent Funeral Directors and has concerns to please call us.’
Police outside the Hessle Road branch (Picture: Danny Lawson/PA Wire)
‘We have already received a number of calls from concerned members of the public and I want to offer my personal reassurance that we are working as hard as possible to make direct contact with each and every family that may have been affected by the concerns reported.
‘This is a very complex investigation, with heartbroken and devastated families at the core of it, and we are determined to make sure that we keep the families involved at the heart of everything we are doing.’
Assistant Chief Constable McLoughlin said updates would be released when possible but asked the public not to speculate and to show respect for the bereaved families.
Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council are assisting Humberside Police in supporting affected families.
Families can call the police on 0800 051 4674 or 0207 126 7619 from abroad. Victim support also has a dedicated telephone available to anyone who is experiencing distress. Their number is 0808 16 89 111.
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