IOPC investigates death in Thames Valley Police custody
Factual summary of a published IOPC investigation, covering the incident, key findings and outcome.
- Published
- 2021-07-05
- Investigation type
- independent
- Force involved
- Thames Valley Police
What was investigated
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the death of a 49-year-old man in police custody in Abingdon, Oxford. The man was found unresponsive in his cell after being arrested by officers shortly before 5.30pm on Friday, June 25 and pronounced dead at the scene after paramedics were called.
Key findings
- The man was arrested shortly before 5.30pm on June 25.
- He was found unresponsive in his cell around 1.10am on June 26.
- Paramedics were called but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
- An initial account was provided by the officers involved.
- Custody records and CCTV will be examined as part of the investigation.
- Welfare checks made during his detention will be reviewed.
- HM Coroner has been informed and a post-mortem examination was conducted.
- An inquest is scheduled to open on July 7.
Outcome
The investigation is ongoing and aims to assess the circumstances leading to the man's death.
Related on BlueLineHub
- Accountability hub — how oversight of UK policing works
- IOPC outcomes & learning feed
- Thames Valley Police force profile
This is a factual summary of a report published by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Individuals are referred to exactly as the source report anonymises them. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the IOPC · Summarised 2026-07-14.