New figures have surfaced indicating several deaths following contact with Avon and Somerset Constabulary in the last financial year.

This comes amidst concerns raised by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) about the heavy reliance on police as first responders for vulnerable individuals in crisis.

According to the IOPC, there were six deaths connected with Avon and Somerset Constabulary in the 2022-23 financial year. These included one death in or following police custody and one resulting from a road traffic accident involving police. Additionally, one of the deaths was classified as an apparent suicide.

Three more deaths occurred during incidents involving the constabulary which were investigated by the IOPC. These situations can range from police assisting medical staff in restraining someone to responding to incidents that ultimately result in fatalities.

Tom Whiting, the IOPC's acting director-general, emphasised the need for action across various agencies to prevent such deaths, particularly among vulnerable people requiring specialist care. "It is clear there is an over-reliance on the police service as first responders in dealing with vulnerable people in crisis," he said, echoing concerns raised by police chiefs about the strain on resources due to mental health incidents.

Across England and Wales, deaths in or following police custody rose from 11 in 2021-22 to 23 last year, the highest figure since 2017-18. These are part of a total of 196 deaths involving police last year, including 52 apparent suicides, three fatal shootings, and 28 deaths from road traffic accidents.

Inquest, a charity that examines state-related deaths, believes many of these deaths are preventable. Lucy Mckay, a spokesperson for Inquest, said, "So many of these deaths are preventable, both at the point of death and long before things reached a crisis point." She highlighted issues of institutional racism, disproportionate use of force, and neglect of people in need of care, advocating for resources to be redirected into community, health, welfare, and specialist services.

Deputy Chief Constable Nev Kemp, National Police Chiefs' Council lead for custody, stated that every death is a tragedy and undergoes thorough investigation and scrutiny. "Police custody plays a pivotal role in keeping the public safe and supporting the criminal justice process," he said. Kemp acknowledged the challenges and risks in custody environments and mentioned a new national partnership agreement aimed at introducing a new approach for police forces in handling health incidents where policing may not be the best response. "Police officers and staff are highly trained and committed but they are not health care professionals and are not the best people to deal with those in mental health crisis," he added.

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