GREATER Manchester Police have said their position over the investigation into the death of a 12-year-old schoolgirl remains "unchanged."

Shukri Abdi drowned on Thursday, June 27, in a section of the River Irwell near Dunster Street, and police have put the incident down to a tragic accident.

More than 53,000 people have signed an online petition calling for Greater Manchester Police to conduct "a full, transparent investigation into the circumstances leading up to and surrounding this tragedy."

However, a police spokeswoman told the Bury Times their position "has not changed" and reiterated their previous statement, that "there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding her death."

The petition also calls for action from Broad Oak Sports College, where Shukri was a pupil.

Broad Oak has launched an inquiry after campaigners — including girl's mother Zamzam Ture — alleged that the pupil was being bullied while attending the school, in Hazel Avenue.

Campaigners also claim that her death is suspicious, particularly because she could not swim.

A major protest was held on Friday afternoon, with hundreds of parents turning out to call for "justice for Shukri."

An inquest into the death of the schoolgirl, who moved to the UK with her family from Somali in 2017, is due to open on Tuesday, July 9.