Investigation launched after man found dead in custody at troubled Met Police station

Police have launched an investigation following the death of a man who was found unresponsive in custody at a troubled London police station.

Shortly before 4.30pm on Friday 2 October, officers carrying out cell checks at Charing Cross police station in Westminster found a 42-year-old man unresponsive after he became unwell, police said.

Police officers entered the cell, began first aid and called the London Ambulance Service.

The man was taken to hospital by ambulance, where he died on Sunday, 11 October, police said.

The man was in custody after having been arrested on Thursday 1 October for recall to prison.

A risk assessment to identify potential medical issues had been carried out when the man arrived in custody, police said.

The Metropolitan Police Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) was informed of the situation after the man was found unresponsive, and a mandatory referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Following the man’s death, the IOPC is independently investigating.

Police Commander Lou Sargent said in a statement that their thoughts were with the man’s family and friends at this time.

“As is standard procedure, the full circumstances surrounding his death will now be independently examined, and we will provide our fullest support to the IOPC investigation.”

It comes as the Charing Cross police station is already under investigation by the IOPC, after the BCC Panorama programme, Undercover In The Police, showed secretly filmed footage of officers making racist comments and bragging about violence used against suspects.

Investigators from the IOPC also went through footage gathered by the journalist but not broadcast as part of the programme.

So far, 15 officers from Charing Cross have been found to have committed gross misconduct, and all except one have been barred from policing.

Another 15 officers and staff, 14 who work for the Met and one for British Transport Police, are under investigation by the IOPC.