Bodies are removed from funeral directors after police raid as detectives probe 'prevention of lawful and decent burial'

Two bodies have been taken from a funeral parlour after a police raid following allegations about the prevention of lawful and decent burial.

Officers searched two bases belonging to funeral directors R&H Barker on Sunday, it has been revealed - in Didcot and Wantage in Oxfordshire.

The investigation comes as Humberside Police, in a separate inquiry, continue to look into Legacy Independent Funeral Directors - having removed 35 bodies.

A mourning grandson today told how he was shocked by blood and mould spattered across his loved one's coffin at one of Legacy's branches in Hull.

The latest action in Oxfordshire comes after a report to Thames Valley Police of preventing a lawful and decent burial, as well as alleged fraud.

The force says this related to 'one individual only' and no evidence of crime has been found, but R&H Barker has been asked to close while inquiries carry on.

No arrests have been made, while another funeral directors business has removed the two bodies so bereaved families could go ahead with their planned burials.

Thames Valley Police said in a statement: 'Two bodies were moved from the premises by other funeral directors to ensure funerals could take place, but this is nothing to do with the police investigation.

'Thames Valley Police were made aware of concerns relating to the business practices of R&H Barker Funeral Directors on Wednesday 10 April.

'We carried out a number of immediate enquiries, and two warrants were carried out at premises connected with the business in Harcourt Road, Wantage and Wantage Road, Didcot on Sunday 14.

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

'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. We do not believe that any other families are impacted.'

Officers have contacted and are supporting two families who were scheduled to use the company's funeral services.

MailOnline has contacted R&H Barker for comment.

The firm's website tells potential customers: 'With over three decades of experience as professional funeral directors in Oxfordshire, we provide a personal, sympathetic service.

'Our sole purpose is to help, guide and advise you on all aspects of funeral arrangements and relieve any anxieties you may have.'

The firm's founder Roger Barker is quoted on the site as saying: 'Before becoming a funeral director, I worked in a clothes shop.

'But after seeing my wife’s aunt being treated in a very disrespectful way by an undertaker, I was horrified and decided that I could, and would, do better.

'So, in 1981, I established my own funeral director service in Didcot, to give people a caring, dignified service, which reflects my personal values of compassion, respect and sympathy.

'I now work with my assistant, Sally, and my son, Adrian, and together we strive to give the personal touch, and help our customers celebrate their loved one’s life.'

The separate Humberside investigation has seen 35 bodies and various collections of ashes seized following a call reporting 'concern for care of the deceased'. 

A man aged 46 and a 23-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position, and released on bail.

Police last month cordoned off Legacy Independent Funeral Directors' three branches in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Bodies have been removed from the premises on Hessle Road in Hull to the local authority mortuary in Hull, Humberside Police said, while a direct line has been set up for anyone who might be affected.

More than 1,000 grieving relatives have since contacted the hotline, amid fears hundreds of people could have been given the wrong ashes.

A grieving widow who had her husband's ashes turned into jewellery was previously told police have found his body in a freezer at the funeral firm.

The woman from Beverley in East Yorkshire, was informed by officers they had discovered the body of her husband, who died last July, following the Hull raid.

She and other members of the deceased man's family, including his daughter and grand-daughter, had 'paid quite a bit' to have the ashes turned into crystal jewellery and are now questioning whose remains they are wearing.

Another heartbroken woman, mother-of-three Billie-Jo Suffill, 33 – who lost her father Andrew, 52, and brother Dwane, 34, in the space of five days – is now convinced her father's coffin she kissed in a last goodbye was empty.

And she fears her brother's ashes may actually be those of someone else.

She said: 'I never actually got to see my dad's body. I bet my dad was not even in the coffin – it was an empty coffin. I was kissing an empty coffin. When I think about it now it is disgusting.'

Another victim, Louisa Millington, whose husband Carl was cremated through Legacy Independent Funeral Directors, said the situation has left her feeling 'broken'.

She told Sky News: 'It's like being in sinking mud. I don't feel like I can put him to rest, I don't feel like Carl can be at rest because things just keep being coming back and back.'

MailOnline revealed how the funeral company at the centre of the controversy had been on the brink of being struck off the Companies House register for two years

Police have urged anyone with concerns about Legacy Independent Funeral Directors to call 0800 051 4674 or 0207 126 7619 if from abroad, while there is also a Victim Support helpline on 0808 1689111.