A CHESHIRE police officer arrested after the death of his policewoman fiancée is believed to be a Winsford-based firearms officer.

Martin Alex Forshaw, 26, is thought to be a member of the Cheshire force’s Vector team, the county’s armed response unit.

He was arrested after fiancée Claire Howarth, an officer from Greater Manchester Police (GMP), was found fatally injured after a car crash.

Detectives in Manchester are investigating the possibility the 31-year-old suffered severe head injuries before the crash in Harwood, on Thursday.

Mr Forshaw was also in the car at the time of the crash but suffered only minor injuries.

Mr Forshaw, 26, remains in custody while investigations continue and detectives have until Saturday night to charge him.

It is understood the couple were due to marry later this month.

Miss Howarth’s silver BMW left the road and crashed in the early hours of Thursday.

She was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital with severe head injuries but died later.

Her injuries were initially treated as accidental but paramedics later informed police of their concerns regarding the cause of the injuries.

Mr Forshaw, who lived with Miss Howarth at a house in Meadow Way, Tottington, Greater Manchester, was later arrested.

Police in Manchester confirmed on Friday that a post-mortem examination concluded she died as a result of severe head trauma.

The couple’s home has been cordoned off and forensic investigators have examined both the home and Miss Howarth’s car.

Ch Supt John O'Hare, of GMP, said: “Claire was a really positive officer. She was highly regarded by all her colleagues and myself.

“Our thoughts are with Claire's family and friends at this very difficult time and they are absolutely distraught, as we all are.”