WIREDGOV

A team of independent IPCC investigators is examining the circumstances of the death of a man following police contact in Hackney.

Rashan Charles, who was 20, died following an incident in Kingsland Road, Hackney, at around 1:45am on Saturday, 22nd July 2017.

After being informed of the incident at around 3:00am the IPCC sent investigators to collect and secure evidence, and to oversee the post incident procedure where initial statements were taken from the officers involved.

We are in the process of securing and reviewing all relevant CCTV and body worn video footage, as well as witness statements from officers and members of the public.

The evidence analysed so far indicates that Mr Charles was detained by an MPS officer who had followed him on foot into a shop on Kingsland Road after an earlier attempted vehicle stop. The officer restrained Mr Charles, with assistance from a member of the public, and he was handcuffed.

After he was detained attempts were made to remove an object from his mouth or throat. His condition deteriorated, and the officer called for a police medic who provided assistance prior to the arrival of paramedics.

Mr Charles was taken to Royal London Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 2:55am on Saturday. We are awaiting a preliminary post mortem report.

IPCC Commissioner Cindy Butts said:

“Understandably concerns have been raised within the local community about what happened to Rashan. I want to assure everybody that our independent investigation will thoroughly and rigorously examine the evidence we gather, in order to establish what took place.

“We are in contact with Rashan’s family and my thoughts are with them, his friends, and everyone affected by the traumatic events of Saturday morning. We will be keeping his family regularly updated as the investigation progresses.

“Our investigation will focus on the police contact with Rashan, including the use of force and restraint on him - as well as the actions taken when it became apparent he was unwell.

“As well as securing and reviewing CCTV and body worn video we have identified a number of independent witnesses. We would also like to speak to anyone who may have seen or heard the incident, or who has information that may help our investigation. They can contact witness_contact@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk(link sends e-mail)

“This investigation is at a very early stage, and our investigators are collecting and analysing a large amount of relevant evidence. All police officers are being treated as witnesses at this time, but I would like to stress that this is being kept under constant review as enquiries progress and as the evidence deems necessary.”