Two men have been arrested after a woman in her 20s died following a police response to a home near Longridge, Lancashire, the force has confirmed. The death is being treated as unexplained and Lancashire Police has made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
What happened
Officers attended an address on Meadow Croft, on the Alston Meadows estate off Preston Road, after a call to the property on Monday afternoon. The woman — named locally as Hannah — became unwell while officers were at the scene and was taken to hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased.
Arrests and enquiries
Two men have been arrested in connection with events surrounding the incident. A 31-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of coercive and controlling behaviour and manslaughter; he has been released on bail pending further investigation. A 23-year-old man was also detained over an alleged offence that prompted the initial police attendance; he too has been bailed. Lancashire Police say they cannot detail the latter alleged offence at this stage.
“Whilst our officers were in attendance at an address on Meadow Croft near Longridge yesterday, a woman in her 20s became unwell. She was taken to hospital, but sadly, despite the best efforts of the emergency services and medical professionals, she was pronounced deceased.”
The force added that the death is currently classified as unexplained and that detectives are conducting a range of enquiries. They urged the public not to speculate online and said it would be inappropriate to comment further while investigations continue.
Oversight and next steps
A mandatory referral has been made to the IOPC, which is the standard procedure when police are present during or shortly before a person dies. That referral signals that the circumstances in which officers were involved will be independently reviewed.
- Location: Meadow Croft, Alston Meadows estate, near Preston Road, Longridge
- Victim: woman in her 20s (named locally as Hannah)
- Arrests: a 31-year-old (coercive control, manslaughter suspicion) and a 23-year-old (related suspected offence)
- Oversight: Lancashire Police have referred the matter to the IOPC
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Incident | Woman became unwell at an address while police were in attendance |
| Hospital | Taken to hospital and later pronounced deceased |
| Investigation status | Early stages; death treated as unexplained |
Local residents have expressed concern following the incident. The IOPC and Lancashire Police will determine whether an independent investigation is required; the force has stressed the importance of allowing detectives to conduct enquiries without speculation.
Anyone with information relevant to the incident is asked to contact Lancashire Police as enquiries continue.
