AN INVESTIGATION by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has been launched today after a man died in custody in a Suffolk police station.

AN INVESTIGATION by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has been launched today after a man died in custody in a Suffolk police station.

The 51-year-old man, who has not been named, was pronounced dead in a cell at Felixstowe police station after he was taken ill while awaiting interview.

Less than two hours before he died he had been arrested on suspicion of theft.

A spokesman for Suffolk police said: “The 51-year-old local man had been taken to the station, in High Road West, soon after 11.30am after being arrested at premises in Felixstowe town centre on suspicion of theft.”

“He was taken to a police cell to await interview. At about 1.15pm officers became concerned for his welfare and paramedics were called.

“But attempts to revive the man failed and he was pronounced dead at the scene.”

The spokesman said Suffolk Constabulary has referred the incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commission for investigation.

The IPCC began work on April 1 2004 with a wide range of new, stronger powers to radically change the way complaints against the police are handled in England and Wales.

The IPCC can choose to manage or supervise the police investigation into a case and independently investigate the most serious cases.

The IPCC has teams of investigators headed by regional directors in each of its regions, to assist with supervision and management of some police investigations. They also carry out independent investigations into serious incidents or allegations of misconduct by persons serving with the police. Serious incidents are those involving death or serious injury.

Do you know the man who died? What do you think? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

Weblink www.ipcc.gov.uk