Police watchdog to investigate woman's death in police custody in Nottingham
The 34 year old was due to appear in court charged with shop theft
The Police Watchdog has opened an investigation after a woman was found dead in a police cell in Nottingham.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct announced it was independently investigating the contact police and staff had with the 34-year-old woman prior to her death, following a mandatory referral from Nottinghamshire Police.
The woman was arrested, along with a man, on suspicion of shop theft at around 8pm on Wednesday 30 October and taken to the Nottingham custody suite.
The following day she was charged with shop theft and remanded in custody to appear in court on 1 November.
The IOPC said it had established that at 10.30pm on 31 October the woman was found unresponsive during a cell check. She was pronounced dead at 11.12pm, despite attempts to save her.
IOPC Regional Director Derrick Campbell said: “Our thoughts are with the woman’s family and loved ones, as well as all those affected by her death.
“As she was in police custody when she became unwell, we are required to carry out an investigation into the circumstances and that will include looking at the actions and decisions of the police officers and staff involved.
“We will keep the woman’s family and Nottinghamshire Police updated on our progress.”