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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Ellen Kirwin

Police divers hunt for evidence under Runcorn Bridge as murder investigation continues

Police divers are continuing to search a section of the River Mersey in the shadow of the Runcorn Bridge today.

An underwater team is stationed at the Silver Jubilee Bridge, in Runcorn, as part of a murder investigation.

Merseyside Police confirmed a second man was arrested on suspicion of murder, following reports of 'suspicious activity' on the bridge on Saturday night.

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Cheshire Police contacted Merseyside Police after a member of the public reported seeing a man parking his car and acting suspiciously between 8.30pm and 9pm on Saturday, February 12.

Detectives then visited homes in St Helens where a 43-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and taken into custody to be interviewed.

The man has since been released under investigation, police confirmed this morning.

After further enquiries, a 38-year-old man, of no fixed address, was arrested in the early hours of Monday, February 14, in Cheshire, on suspicion of murder.

He has been taken to a police station in Merseyside to be interviewed.

Enquiries into the incident are still ongoing and detectives remain at the scene today.

The Police Underwater Search Unit at Runcorn Bridge (Liverpool ECHO)

Officers are continuing to appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time to come forward with information or dashcam footage.

Detective Superintendent Steve Reardon said: "We are making progress with this investigation and are keeping an open mind about what has happened.

"I want to make it clear that our officers have not located anyone injured or deceased during the course of this investigation, but the behaviour of the man on the bridge and comments he made were concerning.

"As we work alongside colleagues at Cheshire Police to get a full understanding of the circumstances, and searches continue, we are still very keen to hear from anyone who crossed the bridge between 8.30-9pm on Saturday to get in touch.

"Any information you have, and particularly any dashcam footage you may provide, could prove vital."

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC with reference 22000106196.

Merseyside Police are requesting for anyone using the Bridge at this time with dashcam footage to upload it using the following link:
https://unitedkingdom1cpp-portal.digital-policing.co.uk/merseyside/appeal/silver-jubilee-bridge-enquiries

You can also call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information

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