HC Deb 09 February 1995 vol 254 cc378-9W
20. Mr. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deaths in police custody are being investigated by the Police Complaints Authority; how many of them have occurred in the last six months; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Maclean

At the end of January this year, the Police Complaints Authority was supervising the investigation of 30 deaths in police custody. Of these, 27 had occurred in the last six months.

The term "death in police custody" includes, for these purposes, any death which occurred in the presence of the police, whether or not the deceased was under arrest or in a police station at the time, and which has been referred to the Police Complaints Authority because it may give rise to public concern.