Woman Found Dead In Southampton Police Cell

7 November 2014, 17:23 | Updated: 7 November 2014, 17:27

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating the death of a 48-year-old woman while in Hampshire Police custody.

The woman died after being found not breathing in a cell at Southampton custody suite on Saturday 1 November 2014.

An ambulance was summoned to the custody suite at around 7.15am and the woman was pronounced dead at Southampton General Hospital at 8.25am.

IPCC investigators were deployed to Southampton on 1 November and an independent investigation was declared. The investigation will examine all the circumstances surrounding the woman's detention and death.

IPCC Commissioner Jan Williams said:

"The family has my sincere condolences at this sad and difficult time. Our investigator has met with family members and explained why the IPCC is involved.

"The investigation will seek to establish all the facts surrounding the woman's death, and look at the time period in which she was in custody, to determine whether Hampshire Police complied with relevant policies and procedures.'

Police say a post mortem examination has taken place but a formal identification has yet to take place and therefore they are not naming the woman.

The coroner has not set a date for the opening of an inquest.