Woman drives through crowd at two-minute silence

Two war memorials on a small patch of grass. One stands a few feet tall and is surrounded by a fence. The other is a black plinth with two poppy wreaths leaning against it.Image source, Google
Image caption,

Four roads around the World War One memorial at Halvergate were closed for 30 minutes on Sunday

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Police are investigating reports a woman ignored road closure signs and drove through a crowd marking Remembrance Sunday.

The incident is said to have happened at the World War One memorial in Halvergate, near Acle, during the two-minute silence at 11:00 GMT.

Philip Stone, clerk of Halvergate Parish Council, said when challenged, the woman was overheard saying "I'm more concerned about the living than the dead".

Norfolk Police said inquiries were underway and no-one was injured.

'Brownies clipped'

"The reason it was reported to the police is the disrespect element," added Mr Stone, who contacted the force on Monday.

"She did it during the two-minute silence, that's the terrible thing.

"The point is, you can't have it happen again."

Mr Stone, who was not at the event, said he was told by witnesses that two Brownies were "clipped" by the Nissan Qashqai as it passed by at "walking pace".

Four roads around the memorial were closed for 30 minutes between 10:45 and 11:15.

Some of the closures were "manned" to prevent drivers passing through.

Charles Reader, a parish councillor who was standing nearby when the incident happened, said: "She was breaking the law. The road closure was a sanctioned one.

"It's unfortunate that she didn't feel those closures applied to her.

"A lot of people there were very upset by the incident."

Girlguiding Norfolk County has been approached for comment.

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