6. Apparent suicides following police custody

Apparent suicides following time in police custody are included in these statistics if they occur within two days of the person’s release from custody. They are also included if experiences in custody may have been relevant to the death, and the death was referred to the IOPC. The police may not always be told about an apparent suicide that happens after time in custody, as the association may not be clear. Therefore, there may be more deaths in these circumstances than are reported here.

The term ‘suicide’ does not necessarily relate to a coroner’s verdict. Verdicts are still pending in most cases. We include these cases only after considering the nature of death and whether the circumstances suggest it was an intentional, self-inflicted act. For example, a hanging, or where there was some evidence of ‘suicidal ideation’, such as a suicide note.

Demographics

There were 67 apparent suicides following police custody in 2025/26 – 62 men and five women. The average age of those who died was 46 years. The most common age was between 51 to 60 years (22 people), followed by 31 to 40 years (16 people). The youngest person was 19 years old. Sixty-three of those who died were White, and four people were Black. 

Almost two-thirds (43) had known mental health concerns. Of these, one person was detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983. Other mental health concerns included depression, psychosis, bipolar disorder, anxiety, previous thoughts or incidents of suicide attempts, and self-harm.

Just under half of the people (29) were reported to be intoxicated with drugs and/or alcohol at the time of their arrest, or drugs and/or alcohol featured heavily in their lifestyle. Eighteen deaths related to alcohol and sixteen to drugs.

Circumstances of death

Nineteen apparent suicides happened the same day the person was released from police custody. Thirty-three happened one day after release, and 15 happened two days after release.

Table 6.1 shows the reasons why these people were placed into custody by the police. Forty of those who died (60%) had been arrested for a sexual offence. Of these, 29 (43%) related to sexual offences or indecent images involving children. Twenty-one were for threatening behaviour and harassment; many of these people were arrested for controlling and coercive behaviour and/or stalking. Other common reasons were offences involving violence (11) and driving offences (6).

Twenty-one people (31%) were detained for multiple reasons. This compares to eleven last year (18%).

All but one of the recorded apparent suicides following police custody were dealt with locally by the police force involved. The remaining incident is being independently investigated by the IOPC.

This table counts the number of different reasons for detention. Each person may have been detained for one or more reasons.

Trends

The number of apparent suicides following time in police custody of 67 is higher than the 61 recorded in 2024/25. It is higher than the average of 59 recorded over the 11-year period from 2015/16. Reporting of these deaths relies on police forces making the link between an apparent suicide and someone spending time in custody recently. Increases or decreases in these deaths may therefore be influenced by identification and referral of such cases. 

This year, for 60% of fatalities, the reason for custody was for alleged sexual offences. The proportion of sexual offences or indecent images involving children was 43%. These proportions are in-line with the figures recorded last year (62% and 44% respectively) but higher than average figures. The average proportions for these alleged offences since 2004/05 are 38% and 30% respectively.