MAIN POINTS

In 1997/98, 69 people died in police custody or otherwise in the hands of the police, 21% higher than in 1996/97

The number of people from ethnic minorities who died in police custody or otherwise in the hands of the police was 8, which forms 12% of the total

The number of persons who died in police stations was 11 (16%)

Of the 69 deaths : 26 resulted from deliberate self harm

13 followed car or motorcycle crashes, and 12 involved people arrested for being drunk and disorderly or found drunk in the street.

Between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998, 69 people died in police custody or otherwise in the hands of the police (note 1), an increase of 21% on the previous year. Verdicts have been given for 48 of the 69 deaths and these are as follows

22 cases of accidental death;

8 cases of suicide;

7 cases of misadventure;

4 cases of death by natural causes;

3 open verdicts;

3 cases where no inquest was held;

1 death due to cocaine-poisoning; and,

21 verdicts are awaited.

Since 1 April 1996, police forces have been required to record the ethnic origin of all those who die in police custody. Table II gives a breakdown of the ethnic origin. Between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998, there were 8 deaths (12%) of persons from ethnic minorities: four Asian, three Black and one Other.

Of the total number of deaths, 11 occurred within police stations. Table III gives a breakdown by police force area of the place of death.

Of the 69 deaths in police custody, 43 were in police custody as defined in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (category A) (note 2) and 26 were otherwise in the hands of the police or death resulted from the actions of a police officer in the purported execution of his duty (category B).

6 cases of accidental death;

4 cases of death by natural causes;

3 cases where no inquest was held due to criminal proceedings;

2 cases of suicide;

2 open verdicts;

2 cases of death from drug abuse;

1 case of lawful killing; and,

8 verdicts still awaited.

Source: Home Office