LIVE updates - nature spot and roads cordoned off by police as body found

A section of a nature spot and surrounding roads in Heywood have been cordoned off after a body was found.

Police were pictured at the scene at Roch Valley with crime scene investigators on Saturday (December 14). Tape was also put up as investigations were continuing on Saturday lunchtime.

A police cordon was in place near a stretch of the River Roch, with firefighters also at the scene earlier.

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Greater Manchester Police later confirmed a body had been found.

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A GMP spokesperson said:

At around 11am today (Saturday 14 December 2024), we sadly located the body of a man in the water at the River Roch in Heywood, Rochdale.

Investigations are still ongoing to formally identify the man and officers believe there to be no suspicious circumstances surrounding the man’s death.

No further details have been provided as yet.

Police have confirmed that sadly, the body of a man has been found in the water in a stretch of the River Roch.

It's not being treated as suspicious.

Our reporter has filed an update from the scene.

It’s believed a large-scale emergency presence was at the scene earlier, including specialist rescue teams. @MENnewsdesk

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service have released a short statement.

The incident is being handled by Greater Manchester Police.

A GMFRS spokesperson said:

I can confirm GMFRS were called to an incident in Heywood at around 11.20am this morning (Saturday 14 December). Firefighters were in attendance for around two hours and 15 minutes."

Images on social media show a fire service enhanced rescue unit attended.

Police have blocked off a bridge