Death in police custody sparks watchdog probe

The death of a 52-year-old man while in police custody in south London has been referred to the policing watchdog.

Officers found the man unresponsive in his cell at the Windmill Road custody suite in Croydon at 00:30 BST on Friday after he became unwell, the Metropolitan Police said.

Officers entered the cell, administered first aid and requested emergency support from the London Ambulance Service. Paramedics took over medical treatment, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 01:15.

The man had been arrested in Croydon at 13:05 on Tuesday on a no-bail warrant issued by Croydon Magistrates' Court after failing to appear on charges of being drunk and disorderly.

He had been seen by a healthcare professional and received welfare and observation checks during his time in custody, a Met spokesperson said.

The Met's Directorate of Professional Standards has been notified, and a mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which has opened an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman said: "Our thoughts are with the man's family and loved ones following his tragic death.

"The full circumstances of this death in custody will now be independently examined, and we are providing our fullest support to that IOPC investigation."

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