Man dies after being found unresponsive in Charing Cross police cell
The 42-year-old was arrested for recall to prison before being discovered unwell in his cell.
Incident → evidence → outcomeA 42-year-old man has died after being found unresponsive in a police cell at Charing Cross Police Station. He was discovered unwell during a routine cell check shortly before 4:30 am on Friday, October 2, and was taken to hospital where he died on Sunday, October 11. The man had been arrested for recall to prison.
Custody Procedures and Investigation
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a risk assessment was carried out after the man arrived in custody, as is standard protocol. Following the incident, the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards was informed, and a mandatory referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The IOPC is now independently investigating the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.
“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.”
Enquiries into the incident are ongoing. The man was arrested at 2:43 pm on Thursday, October 1, and found unresponsive in his cell at 4:27 am the following day.
Questions this report answers
01What happened to the man found unresponsive in the police cell?
A 42-year-old man was found unwell during a cell check at Charing Cross Police Station shortly before 4:30 am on October 2. He was taken to hospital and died on October 11. An independent investigation into the circumstances of his death is underway.
02Why was the man in police custody?
The man had been arrested for recall to prison. A risk assessment was conducted upon his arrival in custody, as is standard procedure for the Metropolitan Police.
03Who is investigating the death?
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is carrying out an independent investigation into the circumstances of the man's death. The Metropolitan Police's Directorate of Professional Standards was also informed.
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