IOPC investigates death in Thames Valley Police custody

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the death of a 49-year-old man in police custody in Abingdon, Oxford.

We have established the man was arrested by Thames Valley Police officers shortly before 5.30pm on Friday 25 June and taken to custody at Abingdon Police Station.

At around 1.10am on Saturday, 26 June, the man was found unresponsive in his cell and paramedics were called. Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Following a mandatory referral from Thames Valley Police we sent investigators to the post incident procedures, where those officers involved provided their initial accounts, and to the custody suite.

IOPC Regional Director Graham Beesley said:

“We have made contact with the man’s next of kin to explain our role and my thoughts remain with them and all those affected by his death.

“As this man has sadly died in police custody it is important we fulfil our role to carry out an independent investigation into all the circumstances. We will examine all of the actions and decisions of officers and staff involved in his detention including viewing custody records and CCTV as well as the welfare checks that were made on him during that period.”

HM Coroner has been informed and a post-mortem examination took place on Tuesday, 29 June, the outcome of which was unascertained pending further investigation. An inquest is scheduled to open on Wednesday 7July.