Rehaan Akhtar: Off-duty police officer, 28, found dead in Bristol harbour after night out with friends

Rehaan Akhtar from Llanelli, in Wales, was last seen at around 1am on Sunday in Bristol city centre, near the harbour. The 28-year-old’s body was tragically recovered from the water on Monday.

South Wales Police has now put out a statement mourning Rehaan’s death, who was one of their PCs. He joined as a PCSO in Cardiff in 2021.

Rehaan then trained as a police officer and joined the Swansea team as a Police Constable in September 2023. Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan said: “I was shocked and saddened to learn of Rehaan’s passing. At this difficult time, our hearts go out to Rehaan’s family and friends, and we will do all we can to support them.

“During his time with South Wales Police he served our communities with pride and professionalism as both a PCSO and a Police Officer. I know he was greatly respected and liked by his colleagues and those he met as part of his day-to-day duties. On behalf of South Wales Police, I offer our heartfelt condolences to all of those impacted by his passing.”

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said previously: “We are saddened to report that a body has been recovered from the water during the search for missing 28-year-old Rehaan. While formal identification has not yet taken place, we have updated his family and they are being offered support by a specialist family liaison officer.”