This article is from the source 'guardian' 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.guardian.co.uk/uk-news/2013/jul/23/suicides-release-police-custody-record-high
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Apparent suicides after release from police custody reach record high | Apparent suicides after release from police custody reach record high |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The number of apparent suicides within two days of release from police custody has reached the highest level in nine years, a police watchdog says. | The number of apparent suicides within two days of release from police custody has reached the highest level in nine years, a police watchdog says. |
| Annual figures released by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) revealed that 64 people apparently killed themselves in those circumstances in 2012-13, up from 39 the previous year. | Annual figures released by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) revealed that 64 people apparently killed themselves in those circumstances in 2012-13, up from 39 the previous year. |
| A number of the 64 had been arrested in connection with sexual offences, the IPCC said, nearly two-thirds were known to have mental health concerns, and seven had previously been detained under the Mental Health Act. | A number of the 64 had been arrested in connection with sexual offences, the IPCC said, nearly two-thirds were known to have mental health concerns, and seven had previously been detained under the Mental Health Act. |
| The watchdog said there were 15 deaths in or following police custody in 2012-13, the same as the previous year, of whom seven were known to have mental health concerns and four had been restrained by officers. This was down from 36 in 2004-05, when the IPCC was set up. | |
| Dame Anne Owers, chair of the IPCC, said: "Each of these deaths is an individual tragedy, and it is crucial that we make sure that any possible lessons are learned. | Dame Anne Owers, chair of the IPCC, said: "Each of these deaths is an individual tragedy, and it is crucial that we make sure that any possible lessons are learned. |
| "It is welcome that the number of those dying in police custody has significantly reduced – less than half the number before the IPCC was set up. However, it is of continuing concern that a high proportion – almost half – were known to have mental health issues, as were nearly two-thirds of those who apparently committed suicide within two days of release from custody. | "It is welcome that the number of those dying in police custody has significantly reduced – less than half the number before the IPCC was set up. However, it is of continuing concern that a high proportion – almost half – were known to have mental health issues, as were nearly two-thirds of those who apparently committed suicide within two days of release from custody. |
| "The police are often called in to deal with acutely mentally ill people, who may be a danger to themselves or others, or who may be behaving in a disturbing or strange way. It is clearly important that they are better trained in mental health awareness. But these figures also point to gaps and failings in the services that ought to support those with mental illness – before, instead of and after contact with the criminal justice system." | "The police are often called in to deal with acutely mentally ill people, who may be a danger to themselves or others, or who may be behaving in a disturbing or strange way. It is clearly important that they are better trained in mental health awareness. But these figures also point to gaps and failings in the services that ought to support those with mental illness – before, instead of and after contact with the criminal justice system." |
| For the first time since the IPCC started work, there were no fatal police shootings in 2012-13, which was welcomed by Owers. | For the first time since the IPCC started work, there were no fatal police shootings in 2012-13, which was welcomed by Owers. |
| However, the proportion of deaths related to police pursuits rose, accounting for 26 out of 30 road traffic fatalities. These happened in 19 fatal police pursuits, and 13 people were killed in six of those incidents. | However, the proportion of deaths related to police pursuits rose, accounting for 26 out of 30 road traffic fatalities. These happened in 19 fatal police pursuits, and 13 people were killed in six of those incidents. |
| Last year 12 out of 19 fatalities were related to pursuits. | Last year 12 out of 19 fatalities were related to pursuits. |
| Owers welcomed the lack of fatal shootings in 2012-13, "especially given the number of occasions on which armed police are deployed". | Owers welcomed the lack of fatal shootings in 2012-13, "especially given the number of occasions on which armed police are deployed". |
| "The increase in the number and proportion of police pursuit-related deaths is disappointing. Forces need to be mindful of the Acpo [Association of Chief Police Officers] guidelines on the management of pursuits which IPCC investigations have helped to strengthen." | "The increase in the number and proportion of police pursuit-related deaths is disappointing. Forces need to be mindful of the Acpo [Association of Chief Police Officers] guidelines on the management of pursuits which IPCC investigations have helped to strengthen." |
| In total in 2012-13, the watchdog investigated nine deaths that followed a history of domestic violence or threats, down from 18 in 2011-12. | In total in 2012-13, the watchdog investigated nine deaths that followed a history of domestic violence or threats, down from 18 in 2011-12. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday. |