5. Deaths in or following police custody

Demographics

In 2025/26, 27 people died in or following police custody – 24 were men and three were women. Their ages ranged from 18 to 65 years. Twenty-three people were White, three people were Asian and one person was of a mixed ethnicity.

Eighteen people had mental health concerns. The types of mental health concerns included depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and self-harm, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), paranoid psychosis and emotionally unstable personality disorder. Two people had been detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983.

Twenty-two people were known to have a link to alcohol and/or drugs. This meant that at the time of their arrest they had recently consumed, were intoxicated by, in possession of, or had known issues with alcohol and/or drugs. Eight people had links to alcohol and twenty had links to drugs. Where cause of death was reported, a pathologist recorded that alcohol or drug toxicity, or long-term abuse, was likely to be a contributing factor in the deaths of seven people.

Table 5.1 shows the reasons why people were arrested or detained by the police.

*Four of these people were also arrested for other offences. Two people were arrested for drug/drink-related offences. Of these two, one was further arrested for criminal damage. Another person was arrested for criminal damage, and another person for harassment/threatening behaviour. 
**One person was also arrested for recall to prison.
***One person was also arrested for false imprisonment.
^One person was also arrested for possession of a weapon.
^^Both these people were arrested for other offences. One was arrested for breach of a Community Protection Notice and the other person was arrested for shoplifting.
^^^One person was also arrested for theft.

The data shows that 12 of the 27 people who died had some force used against them by officers or members of the public before their deaths. It is important to note that the use of restraint, or other types of force, did not necessarily contribute to the deaths.

Ten of the twelve people who had force used against them were physically restrained by the police. One of these deaths also involved use of force by security staff in addition to the police. In addition to the ten deaths where it is known that police used physical restraint, for one death, leg restraints were applied but it is not possible from the available evidence to know if these were applied by the police or by medical staff. Another death involved restraint by members of the public only. The term “restraint” refers to a range of actions, including physical holds and pressure compliance. It does not include the use of handcuffs, unless another form of restraint was also used. Of the twelve people that were physically restrained, ten were White and two were Asian.

Five of the twelve incidents involving use of force also included use of leg restraints. One involved use of PAVA incapacitant spray in addition to physical restraint, and in another incident two officers also discharged a Taser.

Circumstances of death

Cause of death according to the pathologist’s report following a post-mortem examination is reported for 10 of the 27 who died. In a minority of cases, a post-mortem examination may not be carried out. In these cases, the cause of death is taken from the records of the doctor who certifies the death. If the medical cause of death is formally disputed at the time of the analysis, the cause of death will be recorded as ‘awaited’.

At an inquest, the cause of death is determined formally and may change from the cause of death listed in a pathologist’s report. The IOPC is independently investigating 25 of the 27 deaths. The remaining two deaths are being investigated locally by the police force involved.

Sixteen people became ill or were identified as being unwell in police custody. Nine were taken to hospital where they later died. Six people died in a police cell. One person was pronounced deceased in an ambulance that was in the custody suite car park.

These 16 cases are outlined below.

• A man was arrested for a drug-related offence and for breaching a Community Protection Notice. He was taken into custody and placed in a cell, with observations every 30 minutes. The next day the man was remanded to appear at court. He was later assessed by a healthcare professional and kept on 30-minute checks. Two days after the man’s arrival in custody, he was found unresponsive during a welfare check. Custody staff performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and an ambulance was called. Paramedics attended, but the man died shortly after. His cause of death is currently unascertained.
   
• A woman was arrested and was taken into custody. While in custody, the woman disclosed that she was dependent on alcohol and drugs, and that she experienced symptoms upon alcohol withdrawal. She tested positive for drugs. She was assessed by a healthcare professional and provided medication for drug withdrawal. The woman was placed on 30-minute observations. Later the same day, the woman was transferred to a different custody suite, in a different police force. During the journey the woman was sick. During the booking in process at the second custody suite the woman also disclosed that she was dependent on alcohol, and drugs, and that she experienced symptoms upon alcohol withdrawal. The woman remained on 30-minute observations. She was again assessed by a healthcare professional and continued to receive treatment for drug withdrawal. She was remanded in custody to appear at court the next day. During her time in custody, the woman reported feeling sick and also vomited two further times. Two days after the woman’s initial arrest, during a routine check, the woman was found unresponsive in her cell. Medical assistance was provided by a healthcare professional and paramedics attended, but the woman was pronounced dead a short time later. Her cause of death was reported as 1a. Alcohol misuse with alcohol-related cardiomyopathy complicated by alcohol withdrawal and terminal withdrawal seizure 2. Brainstem encephalitis. 
   
• A man was arrested for recall to prison and taken into custody. The day after the man’s arrest, custody staff entered the cell to provide him with food and found the man lying face down on the floor. Paramedics attended and the man was pronounced dead a short time later. His cause of death was reported as 1a. Unascertained.
   
• Police responded to a report of a man who had smashed a car window and who was running in and out of traffic. On arrival, officers suspected that the man was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Officers restrained the man and applied leg restraints. The man was then arrested. He was placed in the rear of a police van and taken to custody. The man was later transported to hospital in the police van. On arrival at hospital, it was noted that the man was unresponsive. The man was taken out of the van and his handcuffs were removed. Officers provided first aid alongside hospital medical staff. The man was taken into hospital but died shortly after. His cause of death cannot be reported at this time. 
   
• Police were called to reports of a ‘drunk’ man running into traffic. Police officers arrived and security staff on the scene informed them that the man, who they had restrained on the floor, had assaulted them. Officers restrained the man as they applied handcuffs, and he was arrested for assault, criminal damage and being drunk and disorderly. The man was carried into a police van and taken to custody, where he was initially placed in a holding cell. While in the cell the man vomited several times. The man was placed in a CCTV monitored cell on 30-minute rousing checks. Shortly after, the man was seen by a healthcare professional and was deemed to be ‘intoxicated’. Later that evening, five minutes after a routine check, custody staff became concerned about the man’s welfare and re-entered his cell. The man was unresponsive and first aid was provided, including CPR, by officers and a healthcare professional. Paramedics attended, but the man was pronounced dead a short time later. His cause of death was reported as Ia Acute myocardial infarction.
   
• A man was arrested for assault and a drug-related offence.  While being searched, the man was asked by officers if he had something in his mouth and he said no. The man was taken to custody in a police van. During the booking in procedure, the man said he had taken ketamine. The man was searched and placed in a cell on 30-minute observations. During a routine check a few hours later, a detention officer found the man lying on the floor of the cell with a cut to his head. A healthcare professional attended and an ambulance was called, with officers suspecting the man had had a seizure. The man began to have seizures as paramedics attended to him, and ambulance staff requested leg restraints which were applied. The man was taken to hospital by ambulance. During transportation to hospital, the man had a cardiac arrest. He remained in hospital, where he died two days later. While in hospital, a medical procedure found a number of empty snap bags in the man's stomach. His cause of death cannot be reported at this time.
   
• A man was arrested for driving offences. He was asked to provide a breath sample and was searched at the roadside, both with a negative result. The man was taken to custody. During the booking‑in procedure, the man said that he was receiving support for a drug dependency. The man was searched and then placed on 30-minute observations. Several hours later, a detention officer noticed that the man appeared to be unwell. Custody staff and a healthcare professional provided medical assistance and an ambulance was called. Paramedics arrived and attended to the man, who appeared to be having seizures. He was taken to hospital by ambulance. He died later that day. The man’s cause of death was reported as I (a) Acute cocaine toxicity. 
   
• A man was arrested for stalking and controlling and coercive behaviour and taken into custody. During the initial risk assessment, the man disclosed that he had taken an overdose of prescription medication earlier that day, with the intention of ending his life. He also stated that he intended to take his own life when released from custody. The man was assessed by a custody healthcare professional, who recorded that his blood pressure was extremely low and advised that he required hospital treatment. An ambulance was called and the man was taken to hospital under police escort, while still under arrest. The man refused medical treatment and died in hospital two days later. His cause of death is awaited. 
   
• Officers arrested a man at his home address. PAVA incapacitant spray was used and the man was physically restrained and handcuffed to the rear. He was placed in the back of a police van and taken to custody. On arrival at custody, the man was carried into the building and placed in a holding cell. Officers then left the cell. Approximately five minutes later, officers entered the holding cell and found the man unresponsive. Officers gave CPR and an ambulance was called. The man was taken to hospital, where he died later that day. His cause of death is awaited. 
   
• A man was arrested for theft and taken into custody. During the arrest he was restrained. While being booked into custody the man disclosed that he had consumed alcohol and drugs. The man was then placed on 30-minute rousing checks. While in custody, the man twice requested to see a healthcare professional. A healthcare professional was consulted, but did not attend. Later that evening the man was found unresponsive in his cell by a detention officer. Officers performed CPR until paramedics arrived. The man was taken to hospital where he died three days later. His cause of death cannot be reported at this time. 
   
• An officer approached a man who was refuelling his car at a petrol station and detained him for a search, after conducting an intelligence check on the car. As a result of the search, the man was arrested for possession of a weapon and taken into custody. The man was placed on 30-minute observations. A couple of hours after arriving in custody, the man was found unresponsive in his cell during a routine check. Custody staff called for assistance and began CPR. Paramedics attended shortly afterwards, but the man was pronounced dead. His cause of death was reported as Ia. Cocaine Toxicity II. Coronary artery atheroma and cardiomegaly. 
   
• A man was arrested for burglary and taken into custody. In the course of his arrest, the man was handcuffed and restrained, including use of leg restraints. During the booking-in procedure, the man was taken to a cell where he was searched and seen by a healthcare professional due to the custody officer noting that the man was possibly suffering from ‘acute behavioural disturbance’. An ambulance was called due to the way the man was presenting. An officer observed the man through the cell door window and, raised a concern that the man had stopped breathing. Officers and the healthcare professional gave the man CPR and used a defibrillator. Officers called the ambulance service. Paramedics attended and placed the man in an ambulance. The man died a short time later. His cause of death is awaited. 
   
• Police received a concern for welfare call about a man. The man was located, arrested and transported to custody. Some hours later, the man experienced a medical episode in custody. An ambulance was called and the man was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. His cause of death is awaited. 
   
• A woman was arrested for shoplifting and possession of Class B drugs and taken into custody. A strip search was carried out. During the search, drugs were found in her clothing. The woman was placed in a CCTV-monitored cell and put on 60-minute observations. She later tested positive for Class A drugs. Shortly afterwards, she was seen by a healthcare professional and assessed as fit for detention and interview. In the early hours of the following morning, custody staff heard the woman vomiting in her cell. When spoken to, she reportedly stated that she was withdrawing. She was later seen again by a healthcare professional who provided medication for withdrawal and assessed her as fit for interview. The woman was subsequently interviewed and returned to her cell. Approximately two hours after her interview, the woman was found unresponsive in her cell. Custody staff and healthcare professionals attended and provided medical assistance. During treatment, a small amount of a substance believed by officers to be drugs, was found on the woman. The woman died a short time later. Her cause of death is awaited. 
   
• A man was arrested for assault and a public order offence and taken into custody. Whilst being booked into custody the man was restrained so he could be searched. He was assessed by a healthcare professional. The custody record noted that the man was intoxicated and was dependent on alcohol. The man was released on bail. A few hours later, the man was re-arrested for harassment after breaching his bail conditions. During his second period in custody, the man complained of arm pain. Early the next day, he was seen by a healthcare professional who advised that he be monitored for alcohol withdrawal. Later that evening the man was charged and remanded in custody. During his second period in custody, the man was seen by a healthcare professional and twice provided with medication for alcohol withdrawal. The following morning, two days after the man was first arrested, the man was found unresponsive and an ambulance was called. Officers gave CPR to the man, with support from a healthcare professional. The man was taken to hospital, where he died shortly after arrival. His cause of death is awaited. 
   
• Police received a report of a man driving erratically. Police arrived at the scene. It was noted the man was unsteady, and he reported having a chest infection. The man was breath tested, but was unable to provide enough breath to complete the test. The man failed to complete the Field Impairment Test (this is a series of tests, for example asking someone to walk in a straight line). He was arrested for driving while impaired by drink and/or drugs and taken to custody. Due to his apparent confused state, he was seen by a healthcare professional. It was noted that his heart rate was raised and he had a high temperature. The custody sergeant authorised the man to be released from custody as his unfitness to drive was due to a medical episode. An ambulance was called and the healthcare professional fitted the man with an oxygen mask. The man was taken to hospital. The man died in hospital several days later. His cause of death is awaited. This death was investigated locally by the police force. 

Nine people were taken ill at the scene of arrest. Six people were taken to hospital, where they later died. Three people died at the scene.

• Police were called to reports of a man running along the street shouting and causing damage to properties. On arrival, officers located the man, who appeared to be attempting to enter a house. The man was taken to the ground and handcuffed. An officer informed the force control room that they believed the man was suffering from ‘acute behavioural disturbance’, and an ambulance was requested. Officers moved the man into an upright position and in response to questioning, he told them he had consumed alcohol and drugs. The man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. Five minutes after police arrived, the man became unresponsive and his handcuffs were removed. Officers placed him in the recovery position and provided first aid, including CPR, until paramedics arrived and took over treatment. The man was taken to hospital, where he died later that day. His cause of death was reported as 1 (a) MDMA toxicity associated with Acute Behavioural Disturbance. 
   

• Police were called to reports of a man who was refusing to leave a business premises and who appeared to be under the influence of drink and/or drugs. On arrival, officers described the man as under the influence of an unknown substance, sweating and paranoid. Officers handcuffed and searched the man, who was detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983. The man was taken to hospital but was later returned to a marked police van in the hospital car park due to concerns about his behaviour. Whilst in the van, the man became quiet and officers requested assistance. Medical staff performed CPR, but the man died a short time later. His cause of death was reported as 1a Cocaine toxicity in the context of drug induced psychosis. 
   

• Police received calls about an incident where a person had been attacked, with one of the calls stating that the reported attacker was at the scene. Officers attended and were directed to a man on the floor. The officers pulled the man from behind a parked car and placed him in handcuffs while he was lying on the ground. The man repeatedly told officers he had been stabbed and could not breathe. The man was arrested for assault. Shortly afterwards, he became unresponsive. The handcuffs were removed and CPR was given. Paramedics attended and provided medical treatment, however, the man was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later. He died as a result of stab wounds which had been inflicted prior to police arrival. A man has been convicted of his murder.
   
• Police received a call from a man who reported that he had breached his bail conditions. During the call he threatened to harm himself and others, police records also showed he was an outstanding suspect for the offence of criminal damage. Officers attended and found the man in a street harming himself. Both officers discharged their Taser, and the man was restrained and handcuffed. Further officers attended and he was arrested for criminal damage. An ambulance had been called and, shortly after it arrived, the man appeared to begin having seizures. The man was taken to hospital by ambulance, accompanied by police officers. While at hospital under police watch, officers reported that the man became agitated. Body worn video shows that handcuffs were reapplied and the man was restrained by officers. A short time later leg restraints were also applied, and the man’s handcuffs were removed again. An hour later, the man had multiple seizures and then went into cardiac arrest. Hospital staff performed CPR, but he died shortly after. His cause of death is awaited.
   
• Police responded to a call about a domestic incident. On arrival, the police forced entry to the property. Officers found a man sitting on the floor asking for help. He stated that he was having a seizure. The man was arrested for a breach of the peace and handcuffed. He told officers he had taken a quantity of medication and asked to be taken to hospital. As the man left the address, he appeared to have a seizure. Officers called an ambulance and provided medical assistance until paramedics arrived and took over care. The man was put into the ambulance, which remained at the scene, where he died shortly afterwards. His cause of death is awaited. 
   

• Police received calls reporting a man running in and out of gardens and jumping on cars. A further call reported the man had entered a house. Callers reported that they thought the man might be under the influence of drugs. Officers attended and entered the house. The man was restrained on the floor, handcuffed, and arrested for burglary. The man was turned onto his side and an ambulance was requested, for ‘possible acute behavioural disturbance’. Officers became concerned about the man’s breathing, and a further call was made to the ambulance service. Paramedics arrived and the man disclosed that he had taken drugs. An officer applied leg restraints so paramedics could provide treatment while minimising risk to the man, police and paramedics. The man’s condition deteriorated further and the leg restraints and handcuffs were removed. The man was taken to hospital where he died a short time later. His cause of death was reported as 1a) Cocaine Toxicity with Acute Behavioural Disturbance. 
   

• Police received a call from a man requesting the police. He stated that his drink had been ‘spiked’. Officers attended the address and identified him as being wanted for theft offences. He was arrested and handcuffed. The man told officers he believed his drink had been spiked and that he had drugs on him. A search was carried out, but no drugs were found. Due to concerns about the man’s health, officers took him to hospital in a police van. During the journey, officers described the man as appearing agitated. On arrival at the hospital, the man was taken out of the van, and he was restrained on the ground as officers were concerned that he was trying to run away. The man was de-arrested for theft and detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983. The man was placed back in the van. Body worn video showed him shouting, kicking, and banging in the van. During this time, officers contacted the Mental Health Liaison Team and sought advice from a consultant at the hospital who came to the van. Just over an hour later, while still in the van, the man’s condition appeared to deteriorate. Officers flagged down a doctor who reviewed him. The doctor did not identify any immediate concerns, but stated they would locate the consultant who had previously seen him. Shortly afterwards, the man became unresponsive. Officers provided CPR until medical staff took over. The man was taken into the hospital but died a short time later. His cause of death is awaited. 
   
• Police received a call to report a man had caused criminal damage to a vehicle. A further call was made from another person, reporting a concern for welfare for the man. Police arrived and gained entry to the man’s house. The man was upstairs and officers informed him he was under arrest for criminal damage. It was identified that he had a weapon. Over the next several hours, officers engaged on-and-off with the man. A negotiator also arrived at the house. After a number of hours, the man was found dead within the house. The cause of death cannot be reported at this time. 
   
• Police received several calls reporting concerns for a man. The callers said that he appeared to be under the influence of drugs and to have injuries. Some people reported that he was forcing entry into their homes.  Another call reported that the man was being restrained by residents. The man was known to have outstanding domestic abuse offences against him. Officers attended and found the man lying on the ground outside a house. He was with two members of the public who appeared to be trying to keep him still. The man appeared to be unresponsive. Police provided first aid until an ambulance arrived. After the man was moved into the ambulance, ambulance crews told an officer that they did not think his condition was life threatening or life changing, so the man was arrested for the outstanding offences. The man was taken to hospital, where his condition deteriorated. The man died a short time later. His cause of death was reported as 1a Acute cocaine toxicity 2 physical exertion during an ABD that involved a period of restraint, whilst exposed to the potential effects of ketamine and sertraline. This death was investigated locally by the police force.

One person died after becoming ill during transportation to custody in a police vehicle.

• Officers stopped a van and because of checks on police systems decided to conduct searches under the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971). The driver was searched and nothing was found, but as a result of initial checks on police systems, he was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst disqualified and placed into the rear of a police van in handcuffs. The van was also searched, and a large knife was found and opened beer containers. At the same time the arresting officer had undertaken additional checks and confirmed the man was not disqualified from driving despite the initial information provided. The man was therefore de-arrested on suspicion of driving whilst disqualified. However, he was arrested for possession of a bladed article. The man was asked to do a breath test which gave a negative result. While travelling to custody, officers became concerned when the man failed to respond to them. An officer opened the internal cage door, and the man appeared to be having a seizure. Officers assessed this as a medical emergency and diverted the van and drove the man to hospital, with lights and sirens on. Upon arrival, the man was taken from the van and his handcuffs were removed. A small package, containing a white powder, was found in his hand. The man died shortly after arrival at hospital. His cause of death cannot be reported at this time. 

One woman died following release from police custody.

• A woman was arrested on suspicion of assault and taken into custody. It was noted by the custody sergeant that she suffered from several medical conditions, resulting in her having decreased mobility. She was examined by a healthcare professional, who assessed her as not fit for detention due to concerns about her mobility. The custody sergeant made the decision to release her from custody before interview. Arrangements were made for social services to attend her home address the following morning. She was taken home by police officers and entered her property while officers remained outside. Shortly after entering the property, officers heard screaming and then a thud. They entered to find the woman on the floor. Officers provided CPR and used a defibrillator. Paramedics arrived, but the woman died at the scene. Her cause of death is awaited. 

Trends

Between 2004/05 and 2008/09, there was a year-on-year reduction in the number of deaths in or following police custody. These deaths reduced from 36 in 2004/05 to 15 deaths in 2008/09. Over the next two years, the number of deaths in custody increased to 21 in 2010/11, before reducing to 15 in 2011/12 and 2012/13. There was a further reduction in 2013/14 to 11.

In 2014/15, the number rose to 18 and then declined and remained stable at 14 in 2015/16 and 2016/17. In 2017/18 there were 23 fatalities, the highest number recorded for ten years.

This number fell to 17 fatalities in 2018/19 and increased slightly to 18 in 2019/20 and then to 19 in 2020/21. The number of deaths in or following police custody fell notably to 12 in 2021/22, before almost doubling to 23 in 2022/23. There was another slight increase in 2023/24 to 25 deaths, before a fall to 18 in 2024/25.

This year, the number of deaths in or following police custody has increased notably, to 27, the joint-third highest recorded since 2004/05. The average number of deaths in or following police custody recorded since figures began in 2004/05 is 20. The average recorded over the 11-year period since 2015/16 is 19. These trends are shown in the graph in figure 2.1, and in the time series data tables.

This year, no people died after making an apparent suicide attempt while in a police custody suite. The last incident of this kind was in 2023/24. Before that, there was one incident in 2016/17, one in 2014/15 and one in 2008/09. Since 2004/05, eight people are known to have died as a result of self-inflicted acts while in a police cell. Three people died as a result of a self-inflicted act that happened prior to arrest.

This year, six people were pronounced dead in a police cell, double the figure of three recorded in 2024/25. In 2023/24, four people died in a police cell. In the years 2022/23, 2021/22 and 2020/21 three people were pronounced dead in a police cell. In 2019/20, one person died in a police cell. In 2018/19, no one died in a police cell. In 2017/18, there were three such deaths.