Category: Police custody

Data published today show a continued increase in the number of deaths in police custody, with 24 deaths in 2023/24. This is higher than the average of 19 police custody deaths per year since records began in 2004/05.

Last month the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) published guidance on preventing police custody deaths. It provides examples of good practice and recommendations for preventing the tragic loss of life in police custody and shortly following release.

In January, the IAPDC and National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) hosted a roundtable event on the prevention of suicide following police custody.

The IAPDC recently submitted evidence to the Home Office’s review of investigations following police use of force and driving related incidents.

The number of deaths in or following police custody has more than doubled over the past year, demonstrating the urgency with which the Home Office and police leadership must act to prevent these tragic and often avoidable deaths.

We welcome today’s announcement on the launch of the National Partnership Agreement and its guiding principle that people experiencing a mental health crisis should receive the right care from the right agency.

The Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody (IAPDC) has today, 2 December 2022, published a report which brings together, for the first time, a wide range of policing practice across England and Wales to prevent deaths at the point of arrest, during and after custody.

On Thursday 22 September, the IOPC published data in relation to deaths in custody during 19/20. As detailed below they follow a relatively similar trend from last year.