Police cell death woman was arrested for theft

Police have confirmed that a woman found dead in a police cell was arrested on suspicion of theft.

The 44-year-old, from Selly Oak in Birmingham, was found in a custody block at Bloxwich Police Station on 3 February.

Station staff found the woman, who had been arrested the previous evening, unresponsive in the cell at about 14:15 GMT and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched an inquiry later that day.

The circumstances around the woman's arrest, her supervision while in custody and the actions of police staff who interacted with her will be examined.

Investigators were sent to the custody block to examine the scene and recover evidence including CCTV and body worn video, and to oversee the police's post-incident procedure process for officers and staff involved.

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