Police say they maintained a presence at a funeral in Sittingbourne which saw crowds of 150 people gather.

Scores of mourners turned up to the service in Sheppey Way yesterday (April 16), where a 17-year-old boy was involved in a collision with a motorbike.

He was airlifted to hospital is now fighting for his life after sustaining serious head injuries.

Officers said they were told about the gathering just the night before the funeral, where concerns had been raised about social distancing protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

A spokesman said it was due to the late notice that the police were unable to get in touch with people beforehand to encourage them to maintain social distancing.

On the day, police turned up and maintained a visible presence, and looked to strike a balance between protecting public health and allowing people to grieve.

Those who did not maintain the correct social distancing will be contacted by officers in due course, police say.

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'Those who didn't follow public health advice will be contacted'

Chief Inspector Neil Loudon said: "Kent Police was afforded very little notice about this large gathering and as such a decision was made to allow the funeral to go ahead during what was no doubt a difficult time for those who had lost a loved one.

"Officers’ priority was to maintain a presence while offering protection to the wider community around any health concerns they may have had.

"Those who have been identified as attending the ceremony and not adhering to the public health advice will be contacted in due course and reminded of their personal responsibilities during these unprecedented times."

During the gathering, which involved large numbers of motorcyclists, some disruptive and anti-social riding was reported.

Two men aged 24 and 32 were both arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and driving without a licence.

A 17-year-old boy, who was attending the funeral, was also seriously injured when he was involved in a collision with a motorbike in Tonge Road at around 10.40am.

Kent Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit has started conducting enquiries in to the circumstances.

Ch Insp Loudon added: "Some serious incidents took place during this gathering which have had an impact not only on those who were involved, but also the wider community.

"As a result, there will be an increased presence of police officers in and around Sittingbourne in the coming days and weeks whilst enquiries take place and to provide some local reassurance.

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"Our investigation continues and where there are clear acts of anti-social behaviour, crime, and persistent breaches of coronavirus legislation then we will seek to identify and prosecute these."