Authorities in Stanstead Abbots have confirmed that a man was found dead in a local river following a police pursuit. According to police reports, officers were attempting to apprehend the individual on foot in connection with two separate robbery investigations. Following the discovery of the body, the incident was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is the standard procedure when a death occurs following police contact.

The IOPC has confirmed they are investigating the actions of the officers involved during the pursuit. While the police have stated the chase was related to robbery allegations, the investigation will focus on whether the officers followed proper protocol and if their actions contributed to the man entering the water. At this stage, few details have been released regarding the identity of the deceased or the specific timeline of the pursuit. The investigation remains in its early stages, and officials have not yet provided a cause of death or a detailed account of the interaction between the officers and the man prior to him entering the river.