CCTV footage has shown that Richard Cole had his mobile phone stolen by several men shortly before his death in Amsterdam.

Dutch police have released images of the men suspected of stealing the mobile phone in the early hours of January 25.

A spokesman from the Dutch police said Mr Cole was seen stumbling in the Thorbeckeplein area, apparently drunk, when he was 'grasped several times' by a number of unknown men who stole his phone.

Officers said Mr Cole was 'an easy target' as he appeared drunk.

As he lay on the floor, a taxi pulled up next to Mr Cole.

The driver apparently spoke to him for about half a minute before driving off towards the Vijzelstraat area.

Mr Cole then appears to 'roll' into the canal.

Police have stressed that the men are not suspected in the involvement of Mr Cole's death.

As the family of Mr Cole continue to seek answers, police have today said that the death was 'not the result of violence' but that the exact cause is still not known.

A spokesman from Gloucestershire police said: "We fully understand that the family of Richard Cole will want as full an explanation as is possible and answers about how he died.

"We know that Richard’s brother Lee met with Senior Detectives in Amsterdam earlier this week where he was told that Richard’s death is not the result of violence from an outside source but the exact cause of death is not known at this moment but is most likely drowning.

"It is not being treated as a murder investigation at this time. 

"We have appointed family liaison officers who have been in regular contact with the Dutch Police, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Coroner and Richard’s mother Debbie and will continue to support them and pass information as we receive it. 

"The Dutch Police do work differently to us which is something we cannot control and a lot of the decision making around what information is shared lies with the local prosecutor.

"We will of course do everything we can to support them.”