GMP Refers Itself To Watchdog Over Woman's Death

Greater Manchester Police has referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission after the death of a 42-year-old woman.

Officers were sent to a house in Oldham Road, Failsworth on Saturday evening after police received an abandoned emergency call.

After they spoke to the woman, who had minor facial injuries, they arrested a 57-year-old man and took him to a nearby station for questioning.

They returned to get a statement from the woman but they found her dead inside the house.

A post-mortem examination is yet to be done but it is thought there are no suspicious circumstances.

Detective Chief Inspector Howard Millington said the referral to the IPCC was "in line with our usual policy when an incident such as this occurs".

The watchdog will now decide whether or not to investigate.

DCI Millington said: "First and foremost I would like to express our most sincere condolences to the woman's family for their tragic loss.

"Our thoughts remain with them at this terrible time in their lives and we currently have specially-trained officers providing them with support.

"We are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the initial call that was made to police which prompted officers to attend and arrest a 57-year-old man on suspicion of assault."

Anybody with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.