Six GMP officers could face criminal charges after man, 20, under arrest dies

The Crown Prosecution Service is considering whether to bring criminal charges against six Greater Manchester Police officers after the death of a man under arrest, it was revealed today.

All six were told more than 12 months ago they were 'under criminal investigation for possible offences of gross negligence manslaughter and misconduct in public office', the Independent Office for Police Conduct said in a major update issued on Wednesday.

Jack Higham was detained by GMP near Mill Lane in Leigh, Wigan, in February 2023. The officers involved were responding to reports of an assault at the time, said the police watchdog.

Following his arrest Mr Higham, from Leigh, is said to have become 'seriously unwell'. The IOPC said officers began CPR and called an ambulance, but despite Mr Higham receiving medical treatment from paramedics he sadly died at the scene. He was 20.

In the update, the IOPC confirmed it has now sent the findings of its investigation into the incident to the CPS.

The watchdog said the six GMP officers were first notified in January last year that they were under criminal investigation for possible offences of gross negligence manslaughter and misconduct in public office. They haven't been named.

The IOPC added that the six - alongside five other officers - have also been served with gross misconduct notices for potential breaches of police standards of professional behaviour.

A referral to the CPS does not mean criminal charges will automatically follow.

An inquest into Mr Higham's death has been opened and adjourned.

In the statement, the IOPC said: "The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has made a referral to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) following its investigation into the