WIREDGOV

The IPCC has begun an investigation into the death of a man being detained in custody at a police station near Reading yesterday (2 April).

The man, 44, was arrested at around 1.30pm on Saturday afternoon at an address in Reading. Our initial inquiries indicate that he was first taken to Loddon Valley police station. Officers then became concerned about the man’s welfare and he was taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital. He was later discharged by the hospital and returned to custody at Loddon Valley that evening.

At around 4am Sunday he was found unresponsive in his cell. He was given medical assistance by custody staff and then paramedics, and was taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about 5am.

Thames Valley Police mandatorily referred the man’s death to the IPCC soon after, and IPCC investigators immediately went to Loddon Valley police station to begin an investigation and to oversee police post-incident procedures.

CCTV footage and other information is being gathered at the police station and initial accounts have been obtained from relevant police officers and staff.

The man’s next of kin have been informed and a post mortem examination is scheduled to be carried out today. Formal identification is yet to take place.

IPCC Associate Commissioner Guido Liguori said:

“My thoughts are with the family and friends of the man, and those affected by his death. Our investigators met with a number of family members yesterday and will continue to support them throughout the investigation.

“We are now working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the man’s death.”