Man dies in custody after police use CS spray on him, prompting investigation into officers

Man allegedly found unresponsive in back of van after four-mile journey to police station

A man in his thirties has died in police custody

A man in his thirties has died in police custody after CS spray was used on him during an arrest in Oldham.

An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has been launched into the incident, which is standard in the case of deaths while in custody.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police attended a call to a property in Oldham at around 11.35pm last night (Friday), after receiving reports of a domestic disturbance.

Police “used CS spray to detain” the suspect who has not been identified.

But after the four-mile journey to the police station, officers found the man had become unresponsive in the back of the van.

The force said the man’s family were receiving support from specially trained officers.

Chief Superintendent Neil Evan said: “Last night we received a report of a domestic disturbance at a property in Oldham.

“Local officers swiftly responded to the incident and arrested a man on suspicion of breach of the peace.

“During the arrest attempts, the officers deployed CS spray before putting him in the back of a van.

“On arrival at Ashton Police Station, the man was found to be unresponsive and he was taken to hospital where he was sadly pronounced dead.

“We have since been providing his family with support from specially trained officers at this difficult time.

“We have made a mandatory referral to the IOPC who are independently investigating and we will continue to co-operate with them fully.”