MORE than 100 extra police officers were on duty in York for the funeral of Lord David Wharton.

Sources told The Press the extra officers had been drafted in as part of a massive police operation which ran from 8am yesterday until the early hours of this morning.

Three vans of riot police - kitted out with body armour and shields - were on standby throughout the day and night, with at least eight officers in each at any one time.

It is believed the operation cost at least £40,000 - with every extra PC on duty costing an additional £48.29 per hour, according to ACPO guidelines.

Police had extra resources available in the city centre all day and night, with more patrols in the area because of the large number of mourners.

Evidence gathering teams, usually used at football matches, were also on standby with mobile CCTV equipment.

Other officers are believed to have been asked to swap their shifts so they would be available to work yesterday. Some were drafted into York from other parts of North Yorkshire.

A source said: "It was a pretty big operation, but the police weren't taking any chances."

Officers continued to patrol the Clifton Moor area after mourners had made their way from the interment at Fulford cemetery to the wake at Melodies.

Police have also thrown massive resources behind the investigation into events surrounding Mr Wharton's death.

Last week, The Press told how an inquest heard Mr Wharton, 56, had died of head injuries after he was assaulted during a night out and returned home with a bruised face.

He was ill during the night and complained of headaches.

His wife found him dead at their home in Constantine Avenue, Tang Hall, the following day and an ambulance was called to reports of a man who had suffered a heart attack.

But when paramedics turned up they were threatened with an axe and baseball bats and they called the police.

Armed and plain clothes officers then raided the house and discovered Mr Wharton's body. At the time, police vans were parked up in every neighbouring street - including Alcuin Avenue, Etty Avenue and Lang Avenue, and in the car park of the community centre.

At least six police vans, several police cars, an ambulance and a rapid response vehicle were all parked up in the area.

Forensics officers in white suits were seen going into the house to gather evidence the next day, as three police vans continued to patrol the area - more than 24 hours since officers were first called - and officers carried out door-to-door inquiries.


City centre pubs shut up shop for funeral

A HOST of city centre pubs chose to close while the funeral took place.

The Spread Eagle in Walmgate, the Red Lion in Merchantgate, the Terrace in Fossgate, the Phoenix in George Street, the Last Drop in Colliergate, and the Rose And Crown, Tom-O-Shanter and Waggon And Horses, all in Lawrence Street, were all closed yesterday lunchtime.

Mourners made their way out to Melodies, at Clifton Moor, for the wake. City of York Council closed Peel Street Car Park, just off Walmgate, to members of the public between 8am and 2pm, while the funeral took place.

A council spokeswoman said the car park was closed to provide off-street parking to mourners attending the funeral of Lord David Wharton.

Notices warning motorists of the change were displayed in the car park - which has 77 spaces - earlier this week.

The wake had been expected to take place at Tramways Employees Club And Institute in Mill Street, but the venue was already booked.

A spokeswoman said: "Regrettably, it can't be accommodated."