Witnesses to West Yorkshire police arrest operation sought

30 Aug 2013 04:00 PM

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is appealing for witnesses to a West Yorkshire police operation involving the death of a 54-year-old man.

Nazim Din, who was not being arrested, was said by West Yorkshire police to have tried to intervene while its officers were carrying out a pre-planned arrest in Grasmere Court in the Wortley area of the city at about 7pm on 28 August.

Police say he collapsed in the street and that officers carried out CPR while waiting for an ambulance to arrive. Mr Din was taken to Leeds General Infirmary where he was pronounced dead.

Four members of the IPCC’s investigations department were sent to Leeds to carry out an assessment. They declared that an independent investigation was necessary a short time later.

Following the incident there was some public disorder close to the scene of Mr Din’s collapse and a large police presence.

On Thursday 29 August a team of IPCC investigations staff carried out house-to-house inquiries in the area. An IPCC investigator has also met with members of Mr Din’s family to explain its role in investigating the incident.

The IPCC is appealing for anyone with information about the incident, including photographs or video footage, to contact a witness appeal line.

IPCC Commissioner Cindy Butts said: "This will be an extremely distressing time for Mr Din’s family and my condolences go out to them at this difficult time. I want to reassure them that we will do everything we can to find out what took place. Our investigation is moving at a steady pace but it is vital anyone with information contacts the IPCC so that we can build a full picture of the events of the evening of 28 August.”

Anyone with information should contact the IPCC on Grasmere@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk or 0800 096 9074.

For media enquiries contact the IPCC press office on 0161 2468633.