An inquiry is under way following the death of a 31-year-old man while he was being held at Middlesbrough Police Station. Emergency services were summoned shortly before 6am on Thursday morning, November 5, after the detainee was discovered unresponsive by staff, a police watchdog has confirmed.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is examining the man's death following a referral from the force. A spokesperson said the man was booked into custody at around 10pm following his arrest on Wednesday, November 4.
Half-hourly checks and emergency response
The man was placed on half-hourly checks by custody detention staff. Cleveland Police has confirmed that the man's family have been notified following the 31-year-old's death.
A spokesperson for the IOPC said: "The Independent Office for Police Conduct is independently investigating the death of a 31-year-old man in police custody in Middlesbrough. Initial enquiries indicate the man was checked into custody after being arrested by Cleveland Police just before 10pm on Wednesday and was put on half hourly checks by custody detention staff.
"We were informed the man was found unresponsive by staff and an ambulance was called at 5.59am but despite efforts from paramedics, he was sadly pronounced dead at 7.01am on Thursday. Our thoughts are with the man's family, friends and all those affected by his death", reports Teesside Live.
Independent investigation launched
"Following a mandatory referral from the force we declared an independent investigation at 7.07am. We sent investigators to the custody suite to begin reviewing evidence. Our investigation is at a very early stage and we will provide an update in due course."
It is understood a mutual aid arrangement with Durham Constabulary was put in place to utilise their custody facilities where necessary during the independent investigation. This has since been withdrawn, and Cleveland's standard custody procedures are now operating.
Family notified and force response
Further details about the man's identity or the suspected offence for which he was arrested have not been disclosed at this time.
A Cleveland Police spokesperson said: "Sadly, we can confirm that a detainee has died while in custody at Middlesbrough Police Station. The circumstances surrounding this death are currently being established, and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time. The family of the deceased have been informed.
"As is standard practice, we have referred this incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is conducting an independent investigation."
