Police custody

In 2023/24, 24 people died in or following police custody, an increase of one compared to 2022/23. There were 68 apparent suicides, an increase of 14 compared to the previous year.

---

---

Preventing deaths at point of, during and after police custody

In December 2022, the IAPDC published a report on preventing deaths at the point of arrest, during and after police custody. The report finds that many police forces have forged effective partnerships with allied health and justice service to play to professional strengths, reduce inappropriate use of police time, and prevent deaths in custody.

However, practice is not uniform across England and Wales, with limited evidence that forces are sharing findings after a death, involving bereaved families in driving change, or working with healthcare partners to provide effective support for vulnerable individuals following release. The IAPDC makes 25 recommendations in its report to ensure greater collaboration across agencies to support people experiencing a mental health crisis, improve support for vulnerable individuals post release, and improve the sharing and embedding of learning.

• Read the first letter from Kit Malthouse MP and Juliet Lyon CBE to PCCs
• Read the second letter from Kit Malthouse MP and Juliet Lyon CBE to PCCs
• Read the report: Preventing deaths at point of arrest, during and after police custody: a review of police practice submitted to the Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody by Police and Crime Commissioners and associated bodies (December 2022)

Alternatives to the use of restraint

The Government, and the Ministerial Board on Deaths in Custody, in their response to the Angiolini Review, have been clear that further focus needs to be given to examining potential alternatives to the use of restraint by police officers when faced with situations in the community. In 2018, the IAPDC produced a report which presents potential options as alternatives to physical restraint.

Read the report: Alternatives to the use of restraint (February 2018)

The Angiolini Review

The Rt. Hon Theresa May MP commissioned Dame Elish Angiolini DBE KC to produce a report on deaths and serious incidents in police custody. This report, and the Government response to it, was published in October 2017.

The Government asked the Ministerial Board on Deaths in Custody (MBDC) to take forward further work in two areas: healthcare in police custody and support for families. Following discussions at the MBDC in November 2017, Ministers agreed a work programme which covers the following themes:

• Healthcare in police custody – Reduce the risk of a death in police custody occurring
• Support for families – If a death in custody occurs, ensure better support for families
• Inquests and Legal Aid – If a death in custody occurs, ensure families are supported through the inquest process
• Accountability – Ensure organisations are held to account
• Investigations – Ensure investigations and inquests are timely and effective
• Levers to improve performance – Ensure lessons are learnt and improve accountability

Read the report: The Angiolini Review (October 2017)

Acute Behavioural Disturbance

Acute Behavioural Disturbance (ABD) is the accepted terminology adopted by the UK Police Forces, the Ambulance Services and the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. It describes the sudden onset of aggressive and violent behaviour and autonomic dysfunction, typically in the setting of acute on chronic drug abuse or serious mental illness.

Read the report: Guidelines for the Management of Excited Delirium / Acute Behavioural Disturbance (May 2016)