Man Dies in Romford Police Custody – Independent Probe Launched
An independent investigation is underway after a 45-year-old man died in police custody at Romford custody suite in East London earlier this month.
Man Found Unresponsive Hours After Arrest
The man was arrested around 3:30pm on 31 March. He was charged and remanded in custody, with a court appearance set for 2 April. But in the early hours of that day, he was found unresponsive in his cell during a routine check, confirmed the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Desperate CPR Efforts Fail
Custody officers immediately started CPR and called an ambulance, but the man was pronounced dead at approximately 4am. A post-mortem on 7 April has been carried out, with further tests pending to determine the exact cause of death. The local coroner has been informed, and an inquest is expected to open in due course.
IOPC Takes Charge of Investigation
The IOPC has launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man’s death. Investigators have already met with his family to explain their role and next steps.
Amanda Rowe, IOPC regional director, said: “Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends, and all those affected by his death. It’s important that an independent investigation is carried out to fully establish the circumstances when someone has died in police custody. We will ensure that the man’s family and the force are kept informed as our investigation progresses.”
The watchdog is reviewing CCTV footage from the custody suite, body-worn camera footage from arresting officers, custody logs, and gathering statements from staff involved.
Deaths in Custody Under the Spotlight
This tragedy adds to mounting national scrutiny over deaths in police custody. Campaigners and oversight bodies demand greater transparency, accountability, and thorough investigations.
No details about the man’s identity or the charges he faced have been released at this stage.
