Man Dies In South Shields Police Cell

23 March 2013, 23:45 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

The police watchdog's investigating after a man died in a police cell in South Shields after being arrested for being drunk and disorderly

The 34-year-old man was arrested on Friday, March 22nd, for being drunk and disorderly and was booked into custody at 8.25pm.

At 10.06pm an ambulance was called due to concerns for the man's welfare.

He was subsequently pronounced dead at South Tyneside General Hospital at 11.44pm.

The incident was immediately reported to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and Northumbria Police is fully cooperating with the IPCC's investigation.

Northumbria Police Statement

Chief Superintendent Gary Calvert said:
"We take any cases of death in custody very seriously and offer our condolences to this man's friends and family at this difficult time.

We immediately referred this case to the IPCC as matter of standard practice for the force.

The IPCC will carry out a full and thorough investigation which we have every confidence that all of our officers acted in accordance to the correct police procedures."

Anyone with any issues or concerns regarding this matter can contact Northumbria Police on ext 101 ext 69191 or the Independent Police Complaints Commission directly.

IPCC Statement 

IPCC Commissioner Nicholas Long said:
"Any death in custody is a very serious matter and we will independently investigate to establish exactly what has happened in this case."