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Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC - formerly IPCC)
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IPCC investigation into detention of man in Staffordshire who has since died
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has begun an independent investigation into the arrest and detention in police custody on Sunday of a man from Beech Drive, Kidsgrove. The man, Darren Lyons, aged 43, died in hospital on Wednesday evening.
Staffordshire Police referred the incident to the IPCC early last Monday morning and a team of IPCC investigators went to Kidsgrove straight away to begin their inquiries.
The IPCC has been told that armed police went to the address at around 11.30 am on Sunday 12 January 2014 following reports of a man making threats who may have access to weapons. Darren Lyons was arrested and transported to the North Area Custody Facility in Etruria. On arrival he was placed in a police cell and put under constant observations. At around 11 pm officers found Mr Lyons’ health had deteriorated and he was taken by ambulance to University Hospital of North Staffordshire.
IPCC investigators have begun to examine CCTV from the custody suite, gain initial accounts from officers involved, and will be undertaking house-to-house inquiries in Beech Drive. A post mortem examination is being carried out. IPCC investigators have also met with Mr Lyons’ family to explain our role.
IPCC Commissioner James Dipple-Johnstone said: "Sadly Mr Lyons has died in hospital and my thoughts are with his family, and all those involved in this incident at this difficult time. We are carrying out an independent investigation into the arrest at the property in Beech Drive and the care given to Mr Lyons during the period of several hours he spent in police custody. We are at a very early stage of our work and we are gathering CCTV coverage, forensic evidence and initial accounts to assist our investigation. We have explained our role to Mr Lyons’ family and have a liaison manager in place to keep them informed as the investigation progresses.”
Because Mr Lyons became seriously ill at some point after contact with police, this was a mandatory referral to the IPCC. We are in the initial stages of this investigation and will provide further detail when we are able.
