Update on IPCC investigation into the death of Leon Briggs

3 Jun 2014 12:55 PM

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is today publishing an update on its investigation into the death of Leon Briggs.

Mr Briggs, 39, died on 4 November 2013 after he was restrained and detained by Bedfordshire Police officers at the junction of Marsh Road and Willow Way in Luton, and then taken to Luton police station. He was detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act.

Five police officers and two detention officers remain under investigation. All were interviewed under criminal caution by IPCC investigators for a second time in early February. The investigation is considering potential offences of gross negligence/unlawful act manslaughter, misconduct in public office, and/or offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. All have provided accounts to the IPCC, and it is likely that they will be interviewed again as the investigation continues.

IPCC Commissioner Mary Cunneen said:

“Last week I met with representatives from the Luton Community Cohesion Contingency Planning Group and the Justice 4 Leon campaign to provide an update on our investigation into Leon’s death. This follows a meeting with Leon’s family last month.

“I was pleased to have the opportunity to go through our investigation and answer any questions that they had. Death in custody investigations are especially complex and do take time. I am grateful for the patience of both Leon’s family and the community as our investigation progresses.

“We will continue to provide regular updates to Leon’s family via their solicitors.”

IPCC investigators have taken statements from more than 150 witnesses who saw Mr Briggs on 4 November, including those who saw him before he arrived at Marsh Road, those who witnessed his restraint on Willow Way, and also those who saw him at Luton police station.

This includes statements from members of the public, police officers and staff not subject to this investigation, two paramedics from East England Ambulance Service (EEAS) who attended at Willow Way, and healthcare professionals and paramedics who treated Mr Briggs at the police station and at hospital.

More than 25 of those witnesses saw Mr Briggs when he had contact with police – either at the junction of Marsh Road and Willow Way, or at Luton police station. 

The IPCC has seized CCTV from the custody suite and the yard at Luton police station. The CCTV has been reviewed and parts of it have been enhanced.

The police van used to transport Mr Briggs to custody was not fitted with internal CCTV equipment.

It was fitted with an external CCTV camera mounted on the roof of the van. The IPCC examined the available footage from the CCTV camera with an independent engineer who determined no footage was available from 4 November 2013. 

CCTV from a number of shops and premises on Marsh Road and Willow Way as well as from local authority cameras was also seized in the days after Mr Briggs’ death.

A cause of death has yet to be established. A post mortem was carried out by a Home Office pathologist on 5 November 2013 in the presence of two IPCC investigators. Toxicology results have been shared with the Coroner and Mr Briggs’ family’s legal representatives. At the request of the pathologist, further tests were conducted and we currently awaiting expert medical evidence.

The next pre-inquest hearing will take place on 7 October at The Old Courthouse, St Albans Road East, Hatfield AL10 0ES

For media queries please contact the IPCC press office on 0207 166 3134