Detectives appeal for information after woman's body found in canal

Detectives are appealing for information after the body of a woman was found in a canal in Stoke-on-Trent.

Police were called by the owner of a narrowboat at 10am this morning (Friday 6 May) to reports of a body in the canal beneath the bridge on Forge Way, Etruria.

CCTV footage from the boat yard in Etruria at 6.06am yesterday (Thursday 5 May) shows the woman walking along the canal, past Bet365, up the steps and turning towards Hanley. She is described as short with blonde hair, wearing a maroon puffa jacket with horizondal padding, dark trousers and dark shoes.

The woman’s death is currently being treated as unexplained.

Detective Inspector Pete Cooke, from CID North, said: “We’ve launched an investigation into the circumstances around the woman’s death. We need to urgently establish the woman’s identity and need accounts from as many possible witnesses as possible.

“I would urge anyone who knows anything that could help to call us.”

Anyone with any information, dashcam footage or CCTV should message Staffordshire Police on Facebook or Twitter quoting incident number 178 of 6 May, call 101 or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.