IPCC PROBES VICTIM'S CALL TO POLICE

Mohammed Raja Shafiq, 50, died after being stabbed in the abdomen and hit over the head with an iron bar during a brawl in a park in Burnley, Lancashire.

Mr Shafiq, of York Street, Nelson, had phoned Lancashire Police some time before he was killed, and the force said the call and their response had caused them "some concern". It has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Four males, aged 20, 19, 19 and 16, have been arrested on suspicion of Mr Shafiq's murder and were being questioned by detectives.

A 17-year-old has also been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in connection with the attack in Thompson Park.

A police statement read: "Lancashire Constabulary can confirm that a phone call was received from Mr Shafiq on March 4.

"A review of that call and our response to it has caused us some concern and we have referred that element of the investigation to the IPCC.

"The IPCC has confirmed that it will carry out its own investigation in relation to this specific aspect of the case and so we are unable to offer any further information at this stage.

"Our priority continues to be the investigation into the murder of Mr Shafiq and we are still appealing for witnesses who may have been in the vicinity of Thompson Park yesterday afternoon to come forward."

A spokeswoman for the IPCC confirmed they were investigating the call but said no further information was available.