The death of a man in the River Thames near Oxford has sparked a police appeal for witnesses.

At around 4.49pm on Saturday September 28, officers attended the River Thames near Heyford Hill Lane, Littlemore following a report from the public.

Officers attended the scene and found a body of a man.

His next of kin has been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.

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Police have been investigating the death and following further information coming to light, a 36-year-old man from Oxford has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and robbery and has been released on police bail on Saturday, October 5. 

Detective inspector Krista Thompson, based at Oxford Police Station, said: “We are investigating the circumstances of this death, which is currently being treated as unexplained.

“While these incidents will no doubt cause concern to people in and around Oxford, I’d like to reassure people that we are conducting a full and thorough investigation.

“From our initial enquiries we believe that the deceased may have entered the water near St. Clements around September 19. We are trying to establish his last movements prior to entering the water.

“I would particularly like to speak to a man and a woman who spoke to two men on bikes along the towpath close to the wooded area near Angel and Greyhound Meadows.

“If you were in the area between 12pm and 3pm on September 19 and have any information about this incident, please call 101 quoting the reference number 43240467094.”