Man taken ill in UK police custody

The UK police watchdog is investigating after a man in custody fell seriously ill.

The 24-year-old was arrested by British Transport Police at Northwick Park Underground station in north west London on Wednesday afternoon on suspicion of possessing a Class B drug and an offensive weapon.

He was taken to Wembley Park police station’s custody suite but became ill and was taken to hospital, where he remains in a serious but improving condition.

The incident was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) on Wednesday evening and an independent investigation has begun although officials have not yet spoken to the man.

The IPCC has recovered CCTV from the custody suite and will also be checking for CCTV from the train and Northwick Park station.

Commissioner Sarah Green, who will oversee the investigation, said: “We have met with members of the man’s family to discuss our role and our investigation will seek answers to the important questions they no doubt have.”

The investigation will look at what happened when officers first came into contact with the man, through to his time in the custody suite, the cause of his illness and whether the police or custody staff could have taken any action to prevent the illness, which has not been specified, or seek medical assistance earlier.