Anger as ‘hordes’ of people attend funeral in Derbyshire village

The funeral took place at a traveller site in the Charlesworth Street in Carr Vale, Bolsover, today, March 9, although mourners have been in the area since yesterday morning.

Witnesses said there was a heavy police presence, sparking outrage as to why the large gathering had not been dispersed.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, described the scene as “total mayhem” and hit out at an alleged double standards.

They said: “Carr Vale has just suffered 24 hours of total mayhem.

"The road around the site was congested with cars, vans and trucks to such an extent that the bus service into the village was suspended for the whole of Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning.

"There were hordes of people gathered around the site and spilling out onto the road, chatting and drinking. No social distancing. There was a huge police presence, but they were, I was informed, only there to make sure that things proceeded peacefully.

"If anyone else decided to hold an event like this, the gathering would have been dispersed and fines issued. One rule for them, and another for the rest of us. I am incandescent with rage!”

Another resident added: “It was like a football match. There were streams of people and more coppers than you could even imagine. It took ages to get through because they were literally shoulder to shoulder on the road.

"It’s quite a wide road but as I drive through it's like I’m trying to drive through a riot.

"There were way more than 30 people on the site, there’s literally hundreds of them."

Currently, funerals can be attended by up to 30 people and must take place in Covid-secure venues or in public outdoor spaces.

Derbyshire Police said: “A number of officers have been in the Charlesworth Street area of Bolsover due to a funeral that took place today.

Officers supported the family to ensure that the funeral, and events leading up to it, passed off in line with the current regulations.”

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