Man having ‘mental health crisis’ dies after being restrained by police officers in London
Watchdog launches investigation into death of 35-year-old detained by Metropolitan Police
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A man has died after being restrained by police officers as he suffered a “mental health crisis”.
A watchdog has launched an investigation into the death of the 35-year-old, who “became unwell” after being detained by the Metropolitan Police in south-east London. He was taken by ambulance to hospital where he died.
Police said they had been called to reports of a man “attempting to gain access to the rear gardens” of houses in Lewisham at 2.20pm on Friday.
A spokesperson added: “Officers attended and found a man appearing to be in mental health crisis.
“The 35-year-old man was detained at the scene. The man was taken by London Ambulance Service to a south London hospital where he sadly died a short time later.”
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said its investigators had reviewed footage from officers’ body-warn cameras “that shows the man in an agitated state”.
In a statement, it added: “Officers have told us the man appeared to be having a mental health crisis and so they called the London Ambulance Service. The man was restrained at the location.
“He became unwell while paramedics were at the scene and was transferred to Lewisham Hospital by ambulance where he sadly died.”
The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards referred the man’s death to the IOPC, which launched a probe. The watchdog sent investigators to the scene to speak to witnesses and has also interviewed officers and hospital staff.
The family of the man, who has not been named, have been informed of the investigation.
IOPC regional director Jonathan Green said: “Our investigators have begun reviewing body-worn video footage obtained from all officers who attended the incident and are undertaking door-to-door enquiries in the area.
“My thoughts are with the man’s family and friends and to all those affected at this time, and we will look to issue more information when appropriate.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Tara McGovern, of Lewisham borough police, said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased at this extremely difficult time. Where a person dies following contact with the police it is right and proper that police refer the incident to an independent body to review the circumstances surrounding the death, which happened immediately in relation to this incident.
“We are reassured to know that the deceased’s family is being supported and we are offering support to the officers involved in the police response.
“We are, and will continue to, provide our full support and co-operation to the IOPC investigation.”
Last year the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which was replaced by the IOPC in January, said police officers should not restrain people with suspected mental health problems.
The watchdog's warning followed the death of a 25-year-old man detained in Yeovil, Somerset under the Mental Health Act in 2010. An inquest heard James Herbert, 25, “struggled violently” as he was restrained by officers after taking legal highs.
He was later found collapsed on the floor of a police cell hours later and died from cardio-respiratory arrest.
Protests broke out in London last year over the deaths of two young black men – Rashan Charles and Edson da Costa – who also died after being restrained by police.
Enquiries into the circumstances of their deaths continue.