IPCC to investigate North London death in custody

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is to use its own investigators to inquire into the circumstances surrounding the death in custody of a 23 year old man in North London yesterday (Sunday 11 May).

At approx 12.40pm on Sunday, officers in a marked police car attempted to stop a vehicle that they had observed travelling through a red light on Seven Sisters Road, N7. The vehicle failed to stop and officers pursued it.

The vehicle eventually stopped in Parkside Crescent, Holloway and the male driver ran from the scene.  After a foot chase, he was arrested close by.

The man was taken into custody to Islington Police Station and became unwell on arrival. Officers administered first aid and the London Ambulance Service (LAS) was called. The man was taken to a London hospital where he was pronounced dead at 23.22pm.

The MPS Directorate of Professional Standards began an investigation into the man’s death and referred the incident to the IPCC.

IPCC Commissioner David Petch decided to carry out an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man’s death and has appointed Steve Reynolds, a senior investigator, to take over the investigation.

The man’s next of kin has been informed and we await formal identification.

A post mortem is being carried out this afternoon and HM Coroner Andrew Reid is scheduled to open the inquest at 9.30am tomorrow (Tuesday 13 May) at St Pancras Coroner’s Court.

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For further information please contact:

Rachael Collins, IPCC Press & PR Manager on 020 7166 3142 or the out-of-hours duty press officer on 07717 851157.