Surrey Police referred to watchdog after man's 'unexplained' death in Guildford

Surrey Police has referred itself to the watchdog following the death of a man, which is being treated as unexplained, after his body was discovered outside a home in Guildford.

The force said it was in contact with the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) because officers had contact with the man prior to his death.

Police have not provided any details about their interaction with the man or when it occurred.

They said they were called to Hazel Avenue just after 7.15am on Friday, after a member of the public discovered the body.

The force added that, while formal identification is yet to take place, officers believed they had identified the man who was in his 30s.

Surrey Police said his next of kin had been informed.

In a statement, the force said: "Following our investigation today, the death is being treated as unexplained, but we do not believe there to be any suspicious circumstances.

"We are preparing a case to pass to the coroner."

Hazel Avenue in the Bellfields area, north of Guildford town centre, was closed while officers carried out their investigation.

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"Surrey Police is also making a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to police contact with the deceased prior to the incident," the statement added.

In relation to the man's death, police said there was no wider risk to the public.

(c) Sky News 2026: Surrey Police referred to watchdog after man's 'unexplained' death in Guildford