This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-16862781
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Restraint deaths review after BBC investigation | |
(about 21 hours later) | |
A watchdog has announced a review of the way it deals with police contact deaths following a BBC investigation. | |
BBC Radio 4's File on 4 programme found that official figures understated the number of people who die after being restrained by police. | |
The Independent Police Complaints Commission said the review would look at its approach to such cases. | The Independent Police Complaints Commission said the review would look at its approach to such cases. |
Commons Home Affairs Committee chairman Keith Vaz said the BBC's findings were concerning and called for an inquiry. | Commons Home Affairs Committee chairman Keith Vaz said the BBC's findings were concerning and called for an inquiry. |
'Powers and resources' | 'Powers and resources' |
IPCC chief executive Jane Furniss said: "The IPCC is intending to carry out a review of its work in cases where Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights is engaged. | IPCC chief executive Jane Furniss said: "The IPCC is intending to carry out a review of its work in cases where Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights is engaged. |
"These are case where a death has occurred either during or after contact with the police. The review will look at the IPCC's powers, resources and approach to dealing with these cases." | "These are case where a death has occurred either during or after contact with the police. The review will look at the IPCC's powers, resources and approach to dealing with these cases." |
Ms Furniss said the review would aim to identify any changes needed and improve public confidence, and would lead to recommendations in a report. | Ms Furniss said the review would aim to identify any changes needed and improve public confidence, and would lead to recommendations in a report. |
File on 4 discovered that anyone who dies following restraint without being formally arrested is excluded from death in custody figures. | File on 4 discovered that anyone who dies following restraint without being formally arrested is excluded from death in custody figures. |
The findings were revealed in a joint investigation by the programme and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. | The findings were revealed in a joint investigation by the programme and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. |
They used Freedom of Information requests to ask the IPCC to reveal the names of individual cases detailed in its statistics. | They used Freedom of Information requests to ask the IPCC to reveal the names of individual cases detailed in its statistics. |
'Highly sensitive' | 'Highly sensitive' |
The names relate to 86 people who died in police custody between 1998-99 and 2008-09 following the use of restraint. | The names relate to 86 people who died in police custody between 1998-99 and 2008-09 following the use of restraint. |
Of these, 16 deaths were categorised by the IPCC as being directly "restraint-related". | Of these, 16 deaths were categorised by the IPCC as being directly "restraint-related". |
Families of those who had died expressed disbelief that their loved ones had been excluded from death in custody figures. | Families of those who had died expressed disbelief that their loved ones had been excluded from death in custody figures. |
Mr Vaz said: "This is a highly sensitive area which deals with one of those parts of public policy that needs to be looked at very carefully. What we will have to do is have a proper, thorough inquiry into this matter." | Mr Vaz said: "This is a highly sensitive area which deals with one of those parts of public policy that needs to be looked at very carefully. What we will have to do is have a proper, thorough inquiry into this matter." |
The IPCC disclosed it has another list of deaths following police contact - those who had not been arrested or detained. | The IPCC disclosed it has another list of deaths following police contact - those who had not been arrested or detained. |
However, the IPCC does not know how many of those were restraint-related deaths and is considering a new study of these cases. | However, the IPCC does not know how many of those were restraint-related deaths and is considering a new study of these cases. |
High-profile case | High-profile case |
The investigation into the official figures involved months spent cross-referencing the names on the IPCC list and other cases in the public domain. | The investigation into the official figures involved months spent cross-referencing the names on the IPCC list and other cases in the public domain. |
The IPCC's definitive list of 16 deaths in police custody excludes one of this country's most high-profile cases. | The IPCC's definitive list of 16 deaths in police custody excludes one of this country's most high-profile cases. |
Roger Sylvester died in 1999 after being restrained by eight police officers in hospital. | Roger Sylvester died in 1999 after being restrained by eight police officers in hospital. |
He had been found naked and behaving strangely outside his home in Tottenham, north London. | He had been found naked and behaving strangely outside his home in Tottenham, north London. |
An inquest ruled in 2003 that he was unlawfully killed, but this was quashed a year later by a High Court judge. No officers were charged. | An inquest ruled in 2003 that he was unlawfully killed, but this was quashed a year later by a High Court judge. No officers were charged. |
But following the case, the Metropolitan Police reviewed and reorganised its restraint training. | But following the case, the Metropolitan Police reviewed and reorganised its restraint training. |
Previous version
1
Next version