Civilian unit compiles 50% of region's murder cases

PC Claire Howarth's murder is being investigated by a civilian unit.

The murder of a police officer who worked in Rochdale is being investigated by a team of civilians.

The 23-strong team based at Chadderton police station, made up largely of former detectives, is responsible for around half of the murder cases across Greater Manchester.
The unit investigates Category C murders, which involve incidents such as domestic violence and alcohol or mental health related attacks, leaving the police free to solve the more complicated category A and B murders. Category C murders make up around 50% of murders in Greater Manchester.

The team does not have the power to arrest but can gather information from post mortem examinations, attend crime scenes and perform door to door enquiries in order to compile a case.

The unit is now working on the case against Martin Forshaw, 26, who stands accused of murdering Claire Howarth, 31, his fiancee, who was a police officer in Rochdale. Miss Howarth was found dead at the scene of a car crash in May this year. Mr Forshaw, also a police officer, was arrested at the scene. Miss Howarth was found with severe head injuries, which the police believe happened before the car crash. Mr Forshaw is due to stand trial in November.

The civilian unit is reported to have an excellent success rate since it was formed two years ago.