PC believed to have drowned after night out

A police officer whose body was found in a harbour is believed to have drowned, an inquest has heard.

PC Rehaan Akhtar, from Llanelli in Carmarthenshire, did not return to the hostel he was staying at following a night out with friends in Bristol on 22 November, Avon Coroner's Court was told earlier.

The 28-year-old's body was recovered from the city's harbour on the morning of 24 November and he was later identified by his mother.

Following a post-mortem exam, the assistant coroner opened an inquest into Mr Akhtar's death and recorded his provisional cause of death as drowning.

The inquest was then adjourned, with a provisional date for its next hearing listed for 24 February.

Mr Akhtar had worked for South Wales Police in Swansea since 2023.

After his death, Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan described him as "greatly respected and liked by his colleagues and those he met as part of his day-to-day duties".

He added the force was doing "all we can" to support Mr Akhtar's family.

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