The death of a man who was being chased by police before he was found in the River Lea, is being investigated by an independent watchdog.

Emergency services were called to the High Street and towpath in Stanstead Abbotts, Hertfordshire, on 14 September at about 13:20 BST.

Officers said they pursued the man on foot after identifying him as being wanted in connection with two robberies. He was no longer in their line of sight when he entered the water.

Hertfordshire Constabulary said it had referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which subsequently decided to launch an investigation.

“We are assisting the IOPC with its enquiries, and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time”, a police spokesperson said.

An IOPC spokesperson said officers had attempted to stop the man on the High Street. The man was later found in the river and pronounced dead at the scene.

The spokesperson added the investigation was in its “early stages” and that the man’s family would be kept updated on its progress.

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