A MAN found dead in a Southampton river had fled from police and was still wearing handcuffs, it has been reported.

A 22-year-old man was found in the River Itchen on Sunday evening and tributes have been left at the scene in Riverside Park.

Hampshire Police said the death was being treated as non-suspicious and that a file is being prepared for the coroner.

A police spokesman said: "We were called at 6.19pm on Sunday 17 March, after the body of a man was located in the River Itchen at Woodmill, Southampton.

"Identification has now taken place and we can confirm that the body is of a 22-year-old man from Southampton.

"We can confirm that he was handcuffed, having been detained by police in Southampton on 12 January.

"Initial enquiries suggest the body had been in the water for some time.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

"An internal review is ongoing and a file is being prepared for the coroner."

The discovery came after the park was cordoned off following a bomb being found in the river.

The Daily Echo has contacted the Independent Office for Police Conduct for more information.

More to follow