BRADFORD Council revealed there was "no way" its bereavement staff could stop a large crowd of people gathering at a burial, where police said the group was not socially distanced.

A funeral service, at St Columba's Church in Tong Street, and subsequent burial, at Bowling Cemetery, in West Bowling, caused traffic disruption and prompted a police presence on Wednesday afternoon.

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West Yorkshire Police said it spoke with the family and church prior to the funeral about the arrangements and what was expected in terms of adhering to Covid-19 guidelines.

Officers attended to explain and encourage people to comply with the rules and said the funeral service "passed off peacefully" with no reported Covid breaches.

A spokesperson for the force said: "Inside the church, no more than 30 people attended the service and outside the church, mourners were stood in their household bubbles and were socially distanced."

But pictures emerged of a large number of people at the burial, following the funeral, and police revealed officers had to disperse groups that were gathering in a residential street after the service.

Bradford Council reiterated that large numbers of people ignoring the rules increases the risk of more deaths and anguish for grieving families.

A spokesperson for the council said: “There is no way Bradford Council bereavement staff could prevent people entering an open cemetery and we are grateful that the police were present to help us manage the situation successfully with the extra staff we deployed.

“The rules have been put in place to minimise the risk of infection and if large numbers of people ignore them then they increase the risks of more deaths from the virus and more anguish for grieving families.

“We would urge everyone to follow the funeral rules to keep yourself and our staff safe."

Police are investigating possible breaches of the Covid-19 guidelines and will take enforcement action if any are identified.

The West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "We are aware of pictures circulating online of the burial service, where members of the group are not socially distanced.

"Police also responded to reports of groups gathering in a residential street following the burial and dispersed them.

"Enquiries are ongoing to identify breaches in Covid-19 guidelines and where there is sufficient evidence, enforcement action will be taken.

"West Yorkshire Police regularly oversees funerals and there is a delicate balance between enforcement at the time and discretion."

The pictures of the burial caused a mixed reaction from readers.

Some shared their own experiences of having to stick to the rules and how this had caused them much pain and anguish.

Steve Opacic said on Facebook: "We buried our much-loved family member today in Bingley.

"15 in and 15 outside church, rigorously monitored and not even allowed to be grave side - and then got stuck in the chaos from this one on the way back."

Grimper granny said on the T&A website: "Only 10 allowed at my husband's best friend's funeral.

"I couldn't go. It's just not fair."

Linda Fennell said on Facebook: "My brother's funeral in August, we were allowed 10 in the crematorium and 10 outside.

"We so wanted everyone to come, but had to pick who went - it was as upsetting as losing my brother."

Emma Dyson felt conflicted on the matter.

She said: "I buried my mum on 16th of December and was only allowed 30 people - 10 inside, 10 outside, 10 stood further back.

"Us as a family understood, but we do feel we haven't mourned her properly.

"I don't know where I stand on this large gathering, as if I'd have known we could have had more people socially distancing, then my mum would have had such a better send off.

"I had to pick and choose who could come and that was heartbreaking."

There were also a large amount of people defending the mourners and expressing sympathy for their loss.

Sara Farrar said on Facebook: "Some of these comments are horrible. Let the man rest in peace. He was a well-known man.

"People moaning about the amount of people outside, in their bubbles.

"They still had to follow the rule of 30 at the service.

"For such a big family, how hard do you think that will have been, picking who could and couldn't go."

Jos Roberts said on Facebook: "So long as everyone keeps a distance does it matter, like someone else said, it is outside."

Sheila Bee said on Facebook: "Personally, I think there shouldn't be a limit outdoors, as you're in the open.

"Haven't we been told time and time again that outdoors is fine, so why limit amount of people at a graveyard."

Natalie Cheale said: "We all followed rules and nobody put a foot wrong, he had the best send off possible and that's all that mattered today."

Meanwhile, Leeds City Council and the Leeds District Commander for West Yorkshire Police, Damien Miller, issued a letter to funeral directors in the neighbouring city today, reminding them of their responsbility in adhering to Covid guidelines.

This was provoked by occasions where limits have been breached under the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (All Tiers) (England) Regulations 2020.

The letter stated: "The Regulations prohibit people meeting in groups of more than two with notable exceptions.

"One of those exceptions is for the attendance at a funeral where the limit has been increased to no more than 30 persons and no more than six for memorial events, such as the strewing or interment of cremated remains."

It outlined that, if reasonable measures are not taken to ensure that the number of people attending a funeral or service does not exceed the permitted limit, police have the power to take formal action.

This includes, stopping the service, issuing a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £10,000 for facilitating or organising a gathering in contravention of the requirements of the regulations and prosecution through the courts where potentially unlimited fines can be imposed.

Individuals can also be fined for attending a gathering in breach of the regulations, starting at £200 per person.

The T&A asked if West Yorkshire Police and Bradford Council plan to issue a similar letter for the Bradford district.

A force spokesperson said nothing had been planned, while the council said it would not comment about policies adopted by another local authority.

Bowling Cemetery is run by Bradford Council.

Bradford Council's policy during the current coronavirus pandemic stipulates that a maximum of 20 mourners are allowed at a burial service.

This is to ensure a safe distance of at least two metres (six feet) can be maintained between individuals.

The policy also outlines, other than the Funeral Director and funeral staff, only members of the deceased person's household, close family members and an officiant of choice (if the bereaved request this) should attend the burial.

If those relatives cannot attend, close friends can go to the burial instead.