Police force investigated over man's custody death

A police force is being investigated over a man's death in custody, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has confirmed.

Calvin Davies, 41, died on 17 March after being detained by Staffordshire Police at the Northern Area Custody Facility in Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent.

He had been arrested in the city at about 17:30 GMT before being taken to the facility, where his condition deteriorated, the IOPC said.

An ambulance was called, a spokesperson added, but his death was pronounced at about 20:20 GMT. Staffordshire Police said it referred the case to the IOPC and it would not be appropriate to comment further.

The IOPC said it was contacted by the force at 21:15 GMT and investigators were sent to the custody unit to gather information. The investigation was declared the following morning.

Officers provided initial accounts, and CCTV and body-worn footage were being gathered for review, the watchdog said.

IOPC director Derrick Campbell said: "We will examine the circumstances around the arrest, including any use of force, his supervision while in custody and whether relevant police policies and procedures were followed."

He said his thoughts were with Davies's loved ones and it was important there was a "thorough and independent" investigation.

The coroner had been informed and an inquest would be opened in due course, the IOPC added.

A Staffordshire Police spokesperson said the force had made a mandatory referral to the watchdog following Davies's death.

"The IOPC are investigating and it would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this stage," they added.

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