Birmingham Man Dies In 11th Floor Fall: IPCC Clear Police

24 May 2014, 07:41 | Updated: 24 May 2014, 07:44

Pollice weren't to blame for the death of a man who fell from a balcony in Birmingham according to the IPCC.

Mr Fraser, aged 21, died as the result of a fall from the 11th floor of Moor House, Druid’s Heath around the time that two uniformed West Midlands Police officers arrived at the address to arrest him on suspicion of breaching his bail conditions.

Having failed to get a response at Mr Fraser’s door, the officers exited the building and then came across the body of a man on a grass area below the block of flats. Later identified as Mr Fraser, he was transferred to hospital where he subsequently died of his injuries.

As part of the investigation, a number of witness statements were obtained, police officers interviewed and forensic analysis conducted. The investigation concluded that Mr Fraser’s death was a tragic accident and that it was reasonable to conclude that Mr Fraser fell from his balcony while either jumping or climbing from it. No misconduct issues against any officers were found.

The IPCC investigation concluded in April 2012 but issuing the findings has awaited an inquest. An inquest jury at Birmingham Coroner's Court in April found that Mr Fraser’s death was accidental, after he attempted to exit his flat via the balcony to avoid arrest and he fell to his death.

IPCC Deputy Chair Rachel Cerfontyne said:

"My thoughts are with Demetre’s friends and family  following the inquest into his tragic and untimely death - those who knew him and who assisted with our investigation described a happy and lively person.

"I know there was a lot of speculation and anger expressed after Mr Fraser died regarding the circumstances of his death and that is in part why the IPCC decided to conduct an independent investigation.

"Our investigation found no evidence to indicate the officers made any more contact than knocking on the door of his flat on the morning that he died. We did find compelling evidence that the officers could not have entered the flat. It was protected by a locked steel gate and front door, the only set of keys to which were found inside the premises after the police used steel cutters to secure entry later that afternoon.

"Mr Fraser’s mother also made a number of complaints that were explored thoroughly as part our investigation and none were upheld. We shared our report and its findings with Mr Fraser’s mother some months ago.”