1. 8 updates

Off-duty officer death probe

Greater Manchester Police have launched a murder inquiry into the death off-duty officer Pc Gareth Francis, who died after being assaulted in Edgeley, Stockport. Three men have been arrested on suspicion of his murder.

Live updates

Third arrest following death of off-duty police officer

A third man has been arrested following the death of an off-duty police officer in Edgeley, Stockport.

The officer, 28-year-old PC Gareth Francis, was walking home from a night out with friends when he was assaulted.

Two men aged 20 and 21, both from the Stockport area, had previously been arrested on suspicion of his murder and remain in police custody for questioning.

A third man, aged 20, was arrested on suspicion of murder on Sunday night. He also remains in custody for questioning.

Family: Pc Francis brought 'love and laughter' to lives

The family of an off-duty police constable who died after he was attacked on his way home from a night out have released the following statement:

Our gorgeous son brought love and laughter into not only our lives, but he was an amazing brother, boyfriend, grandson and nephew.

"We cannot imagine how we can face each day knowing that he is gone from our lives."

– Family statement released through Greater Manchester Police

Advertisement

Killed Pc's family pay tribute to 'gorgeous son'

The family of off-duty police officer Pc Gareth Francis, who was killed after being attacked on a night out have paid tribute to "a gorgeous son" who brought "love and laughter" to their lives, Greater Manchester Police said.

Pc Gareth Francis Credit: Greater Manchester Police handout

The 28-year-old was assaulted in Edgeley, Greater Manchester, in the early hours of this morning.

A murder inquiry has been launched and two men aged 20 and 21, have been arrested on suspicion of his murder.

Stockport Police on probe into off-duty pc's death

First and foremost I would like to pass on my condolences to both Gareth's family and his colleagues in South Manchester.

Gareth was a dedicated police officer with six years' experience and he will be greatly missed by his colleagues.

However, the loss will be even greater for Gareth's family and I would like to reassure them that we have a team of detectives working round-the-clock now to establish exactly what happened this morning.

What we do know is that Gareth was dropped off by taxi in Edgeley after he and his friends enjoyed a night out in Manchester city centre.

At some point in the next few minutes he was assaulted in the Castle Street area.

We now have high visibility patrols in Edgeley town centre and I would urge anyone with concerns to approach officers there.

– Stockport Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Chris Sykes

Advertisement

Off-duty Pc killed after night out in Greater Manchester

An off-duty police officer was killed after he was attacked while on his way home from a night out, Greater Manchester Police has said.

28-year-old Pc Gareth Francis was assaulted in Edgeley, Greater Manchester, in the early hours of this morning.

Emergency services attended the scene and discovered Pc Francis with a serious head injury. He was taken by ambulance to Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, where he died shortly afterwards.

A murder inquiry has been launched and two men aged 20 and 21, have been arrested on suspicion of his murder.

Back to top