South Wales Police have confirmed the tragic death of PC Rehaan Akhtar, whose body was found in Bristol’s harbour following a missing persons’ search.
PC Rehaan Akhtar, 28, from Llanelli, Wales, was discovered after a night out with his friends over the weekend. He was then subject to a missing persons’ search after last being seen at around 01:00 GMT on Sunday morning near Bristol’s harbourside.
On Monday, Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that a body was recovered from the water during search efforts in Bristol’s city centre harbour.
Tributes have been paid to the “greatly respected” South Wales Police officer, whose loss has shocked both the South Wales Police force and his community, after his family were informed and offered support by a specialist family liaison officer.
The police force said that they were treating Akhtar’s death as “unexplained,” but not suspicious, and will be preparing a file for the coroner.
Tribute from South Wales Police
South Wales Police offered their own tribute to the deceased officer: “It is with immense sadness that we confirm the news of the passing of our colleague and friend PC 8650 Reehan Akhtar”.
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Akhtar started his journey with the South Wales Police force when he was 24 years old, joining as a PCSO in Cardiff in October 2021.
He later went on to train as a Police Officer and joined the local team in Swansea as a Police Constable in September 2023, the statement said.
Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan said: “I was shocked and saddened to learn of Rehaan’s passing. At this difficult time, our hearts go out to Rehaan’s family and friends, and we will do all we can to support them.
“During his time with South Wales Police he served our communities with pride and professionalism as both a PCSO and a Police Officer. I know he was greatly respected and liked by his colleagues and those he met as part of his day-to-day duties.”
The statement from Constable Vaughan concluded, saying, “on behalf of South Wales Police, I offer our heartfelt condolences to all of those impacted by his passing.”
Akhtar’s local football team, the Llanelli-based Calsonic Kansei Swiss Valley AFC, who Akhtar played football for, also issued their own tribute to him on social media.
