Man detained under Mental Health Act by Surrey police dies in hospital

originally by: The Guardian
published: 14 November 2013

A man who was detained under the Mental Health Act has died in hospital after his condition deteriorated at a police station. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating Surrey police following the death of 33-year-old Terry Smith.

The ambulance service requested police help just after 10pm on Tuesday after being called to an address in Stanwell, Surrey.

Smith was held under the Mental Health Act and taken to Staines police station where he was then arrested on suspicion of a drugs-related offence. His health deteriorated and he was taken from the station by ambulance to St Peter’s hospital in Chertsey, where he died at around 9pm on Wednesday.

IPCC investigators were carrying out house-to-house inquiries on Thursday and distributing leaflets in the Douglas Road area.

After being told about the incident just after 6am on Wednesday, investigators went to Staines police station to assess evidence, including CCTV from the custody suite where Smith was held, and they also took initial accounts from those involved.

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