Leyton News

Investigation ongoing after man dies in Leyton policy custody

The death in police custody of an as-yet unnamed 38-year-old man in Leyton has sparked an independent investigation. The Independent Office for Police […]By Waltham Forest Echo

Stock image of a police cell (credit Grant Durr on Unsplash)
Stock image of a police cell (credit Grant Durr on Unsplash)

The death in police custody of an as-yet unnamed 38-year-old man in Leyton has sparked an independent investigation.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the man’s death on 4th September at Leyton Custody Suite in Boreham Close.

The man was pronounced dead shortly after 8pm that evening, less than four hours after his arrest in the area at 5.30pm for reasons the police have currently not disclosed.

The man arrived at the custody suite at around 6.30pm and is said to have become “unwell and then unresponsive” while being booked in by officers, who called for an ambulance and attempted CPR.

Sal Naseem, from the IOPC, said: “My thoughts are with the man’s family at this difficult time. We have made contact with his family to explain our role and will update them as our enquiries progress.

“As the man died in police custody, we will carry out a thorough, independent investigation into all the circumstances.

“We will examine interaction officers had with the man on the street, and what happened after he arrived at the custody suite. Our investigation is still in its early stages.”

Investigators from the IOPC interviewed the officers involved and have been reviewing evidence from CCTV and body-worn cameras. It is unclear how long the investigation is expected to last.

A post-mortem took place on 7th September but further tests were required to conclude the cause of death.

The coroner has been informed but a date for the inquest has yet to be set.

More on this as we receive it.


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