How a man set to be arrested over child images managed to jump to his death in front of police

A man about to be arrested opened a window in his bedroom and jumped nine storeys out to his death in front of Greater Manchester Police officers. A new report has now been issued by a coroner detailing partial circumstances surrounding the death of Ashley Crews in north Manchester in February this year.

The Manchester Evening News revealed Mr Crews, who was aged in his 40s, was about to be arrested on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children and was pronounced dead at the scene. Emergency services were called to the Roach Court tower block on Hamerton Road, off Rochdale Road in Collyhurst, on February 20.

Coroner Zak Golombeck has now issued a 'prevention of future deaths' report to named organisations including GMP and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) ahead of a full inquest into Mr Crews' death being held.

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The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 provides coroners with the duty to make reports to a person, organisation, local authority or Government department or agency where they believe action should be taken to prevent future deaths.

His report, now published online, references the use of handcuffs and relating policies. Manchester coroner Mr Golombeck said 'attending officers' didn't apply handcuffs and Mr Crews walked to his bedroom after they entered his flat. 'Some' officers are said to have followed him, but he 'was able to open a window and jump out'.

He said in the report: "Mr Ashley Crews died on 20th February 2024 from injuries sustained from a fall from height. On 20th February 2024, GMP officers attended Mr Crews' address (a ninth floor flat) to execute an arrest warrant.

"The attending officers did not apply handcuffs. Mr Crews proceeded to walk to his bedroom in the flat, and whilst some officers followed him, Mr Crews was able to open a window and jump out. GMP have confirmed that they do not have a local policy dealing with the use and application of handcuffs when executing an arrest warrant.

"The IOPC have confirmed there is no national policy." The IOPC confirmed to the M.E.N. its investigations were continuing.

Mr Golombeck said the report was being sent to Greater Manchester Police, the College of Policing and the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

He said in the report: "During the course of the investigation, my inquiries revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken." Addressing 'matters of concern', Mr Golombeck said there was 'no local policy' for the use of handcuffs when executing an arrest warrant'. He said the report had also been sent to the Chief Coroner.

The inquest was opened on March 12 this year. A final inquest hearing has not yet taken place.

The IOPC said the College of Policing sets national policy. A spokesperson for the IOPC said: "Our independent investigation into an incident in which a man fell from a property in Collyhurst, north Manchester, on Tuesday 20 February after Greater Manchester Police officers attended continues to progress.

"We acknowledge the coroner's report that has been published this week and we will be looking at what local and national policies are in place. At the end of our investigation we will consider organisational and national learning recommendations."

A GMP spokesperson said in response: "We have seen the report and will be assessing this, however as there is a live IOPC investigation into this incident, at this time it wouldn’t be appropriate for us to comment."

All three organisations 'have a duty to respond' within 56 days, reveals the report.