Investigation under way into death of man in Newport after contact with Gwent Police officers

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is independently investigating the death of a man following police contact in Newport yesterday morning, Wednesday 17 February 2021.

Moyied Bashir, 29, sadly was pronounced dead in hospital at around 11.40 am on Wednesday after being taken there by ambulance from an address at Maesglas Crescent.

After being notified by Gwent Police at around midday on Wednesday we sent investigators to the property and to the post incident procedures where the officers involved have provided their initial accounts of their interaction with Mr Bashir.

We have established that Gwent Police officers were called to the property at just before 9 am yesterday following a report of a concern for Mr Bashir’s welfare. Shortly after arriving, police officers called for an ambulance as there was concern about Mr Bashir’s behaviour.

We are aware that Mr Bashir, who was not arrested, was initially handcuffed and leg restraints were applied at the property while an ambulance was awaited. During their interaction with Mr Bashir his condition was noted to deteriorate. Paramedics arrived and gave medical treatment at the address prior to moving him to a waiting ambulance.

We have established that by the time the ambulance had arrived a number of police vehicles and nine police officers had responded to the incident.

We have spoken to Mr Bashir’s family to express our condolences and explain our role. The Coroner has been informed and a post mortem is being carried out this afternoon.

We will be gathering more detailed accounts from the officers involved, and we are securing and will be analysing body worn video along with police radio transmissions and call logs.

Our investigation into the nature of the contact the police officers had with the man is in its very early stages.

IOPC Director for Wales Catrin Evans said: “I offer my condolences to Mr Bashir’s family and friends, and to everyone affected by his tragic death. We have spoken to family members to explain our role and how the investigation will progress. It is appropriate in the circumstances of a death following police contact that we investigate what happened, and I would like to reassure people that we will do so thoroughly and independently. We will be carefully examining the interaction police officers had with Mr Bashir and whether their actions were proportionate and reasonable in the circumstances.”