Man dies after falling ill in police custody

A 42-year-old man died after becoming unwell while in custody at a central London police station.

Officers found the man unresponsive in his cell at Charing Cross custody suite in Westminster at 04:27 BST on 2 October, the Metropolitan Police said. An investigation has been launched by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

First aid was administered by officers before London Ambulance Service paramedics arrived and transferred him to hospital, where he died on Sunday.

The man had been arrested on the afternoon of 1 October for recall to prison. The Met said a standard risk assessment to identify medical or other issues was completed when he arrived in custody.

The force's Directorate of Professional Standards was informed, and a mandatory referral was made to the IOPC when the man was found unresponsive.

Cdr Lou Sargent said: "Our thoughts and condolences are with the man's family and friends at this difficult time.

"As is standard procedure, the full circumstances surrounding his death will now be independently examined, and we will provide our fullest support to the IOPC investigation."

An IOPC spokesperson said the watchdog would be investigating the actions of custody staff.

They added the man's family would be kept up to date with their investigation.

The death comes following a year of scrutiny on Charing Cross police station and its custody suite after an undercover BBC Panorama investigation into the conduct of its officers.

The Met has so far dismissed 13 officers who worked at the station.

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