Police to be investigated over death of 80-year-old man in Plymouth
The man suffered a serious head injury in the presence of officers
An investigation has been launched into the death of an 80-year-old man in Plymouth, who was seriously injured in the presence of police on Monday (26 July).
Police officers were called to Taunton Avenue in Whitleigh on Monday morning, originally in response to a report that a firearm may have been discharged, and trained negotiators were subsequently called.
At around 4pm on Monday, the man, aged 80, was taken to hospital with serious head injuries and died there yesterday afternoon (27 July).
Devon and Cornwall Police will now be investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
In a statement, the IOPC said:
“We have begun an independent investigation into an incident in the Whitleigh area of Plymouth on Monday (26 July) during which an 80-year-old man was seriously injured while police were present. The man has sadly since died in hospital.
“We were notified of the incident by Devon and Cornwall Police at around 7pm on Monday and sent investigators to the police post-incident procedures where initial accounts from officers, including firearms officers involved, were gained. We have spoken with members of the man’s family to express our condolences and explain our involvement.
“We understand that Devon and Cornwall Police officers initially attended an address at Taunton Avenue at around 10am in response to a report that a firearm may have been discharged, and trained negotiators were subsequently called.
“At around 4pm the man was taken to hospital with serious head injuries and died there on Tuesday afternoon (27 July).
“Our investigation is in its very early stages and we are continuing to examine police handling of the incident and the exact circumstances of what took place.”