THE family of a 44-year-old man have said they feel he was "let down by the agencies who were supposed to protect him" as the circumstances surrounding his death remain unexplained.

Kunil Nur - a much-loved son, brother and father - died on Sunday, October 10, six days after an altercation with his neighbours on Linney Square in Scholes.

Kunil was a valued member of the community and an organiser in the Sudanese Wigan community ‘SWAP’. He spoke five languages, often acted as a translator at local events or elections and is described as a "law-abiding citizen with no previous history with the police".

It is reported that in the months prior to his death, Kunil reported multiple incidents of racial abuse and harassment to Wigan Council and Greater Manchester Police, with his family explaining the abuse was so severe he often slept at a friend’s house and had applied for a home swap in the weeks before his death.

His family stress that Kunil was "crying out for help" and a short time after these incidents, Greater Manchester Police were called to "disturbance" outside his flat on Linney Square in the early hours of Monday, October 4.

With reports of Kunil "breaking into a neighbouring property", he was arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage based on evidence presented to officers at the scene.

Kunil did not go into police custody for this incident and was instead taken to Bolton hospital along with his neighbour for treatment for their injuries. Although Mr Nur was later discharged from hospital, he died six days later due to lasting complications with his injuries.

Since the events unfolded, three suspects have been arrested and questioned in relation to his death, yet at present the circumstances of how Kunil lost his life remain unclear.

After Kunil's reports of racial abuse, his family said: "Kunil was crying out for help, and we strongly feel he was let down by the agencies who were supposed to protect him.

"Weeks after his death, the facts of Kunil’s death are still unclear. As a family, we demand a thorough and independent investigation into the events leading up to the death of our beloved son, brother, and father. [...] It is important to us that other families do not have to go through what we have suffered."

Superintendent Mark Kenny, of GMP's Wigan District, said: "Kunil's tragic death remains the subject of an ongoing murder inquiry and our thoughts are with his family who are being supported by our specialist officers at this utterly devastating time.

"We promise to thoroughly look at all aspects of this case in careful detail to ensure Kunil's family are given the answers they crave and rightly deserve."

With police investigating the sequence of events on the night, Spt Kenny explained officers are also looking into the previous contact Kunil had with police and the council, and are actively reviewing the three reports he made to GMP in 2021.

These incidents occurred on June 25, September 28 and October 2, with the first a report of a group of children shouting racial abuse in the street. This was recorded as a crime and Mr Nur was visited by the local neighbourhood team to discuss concerns.

The second incident was a report of racial abuse from a neighbour, which was recorded as a hate crime and although Mr Nur was later spoken to, he did not wish to provide a formal statement.

The third, just two days before the altercation, was made outside Wigan police station by Mr Nur again alleging racial abuse from neighbours. He was invited into the police station but "injured himself" when doing so.

Kunil’s family stated: "Kunil's death is a huge loss for the community and for our family. We would like to extend our appreciation to the community who gave so much joy, support and love to my son over the years. Your continued support is felt by all of us.

"We love and miss him dearly."

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to report it online at www.gmp.police.uk quoting log number 22 of 04/10/2021 or by calling 0161 856 7251.