18 January 2005
For Immediate Release

Kidderminster Police Station Death - Man Named

The Independent Police Complaints Commission can name the man who was found collapsed on the steps of Kidderminster Police Station.

Mr Leon Bradley Laga, aged 24, was found at approximately 8.00 a.m. on Saturday 15 January. The ambulance service were called but he was certified dead at the scene.

Mr Laga lived in Bewdley Hill in Kidderminster.  

IPCC Commissioner John Crawley said:  “I have been in touch with Leon’s father and offered the family my sincere condolences after this tragic death.   

“If we are to find out what happened to Mr Laga we need to hear from anybody who saw or spoke with him last Friday night or who saw him sitting outside the police station in the morning.   Some people must have passed by and they could be important witnesses.

“I would ask them to call the IPCC’s Central Regional Office on 01332 638694,” he said.

Notes for editors

• The incident was referred to the IPCC and an IPCC senior investigator attended the scene. Following his assessment, the IPCC decided to manage the investigation, which will be carried out by officers from West Mercia Constabulary led by Detective Superintendent Ray Groves.
• A Home Office pathologist carried out a post-mortem on Saturday afternoon, and toxicology results are pending.
• The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is the body with overall responsibility for the new police complaints system in England and Wales. It has the task of increasing public confidence in the system and aims to make complaints investigations more open, timely, proportionate and fair. The 18 IPCC Commissioners guarantee the independence of the IPCC and by law can never have served as police officers.
• Since its launch in April 2004 the IPCC has used its powers to carry out 22 independent and 83 managed investigations into the most serious complaints against the police. It has also set new standards for police forces to improve the way the public’s complaints are handled, and upheld 21% of appeals by the public about the way their complaint was dealt with by the local force.
• The IPCC is committed to getting closer to the communities it serves.  It has regional offices in Cardiff, Leicestershire, London and Manchester plus a sub office in Wakefield.   Commissioners are regionally based and supported by 77 independent investigators, as well as case workers and specialist support staff.
• The IPCC web site is constantly updated at www.ipcc.gov.uk or members of the public can contact the IPCC on 08453 002 002.

Issued by:
Richard M Offer
Independent Police Complaints Commission
90 High Holborn
LONDON
WC1V 6BH

Tel: 020-7166 3214, Fax: 020-7404 0430, Mob: 07710 381890