Investigation under way into police contact with a man in Haringey

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) contact with a 44-year-old man who is currently in a critical condition in a London hospital.

At this early stage, and having viewed some of the body worn video footage, we have established that officers responded to a report of a disturbance at an address in Haringey, London at around 7:30pm yesterday (Thursday). Officers attended and found a man who appeared to be unwell and distressed. The man was restrained by officers and the London Ambulance Service was called. Officers, then joined by paramedics, provided first aid after he appeared to become unresponsive and he was then taken to the hospital.

We were notified by the force and sent an investigator to the police post incident procedure before declaring an independent investigation shortly before 1pm today.

Initial accounts have been obtained from witnesses and we continue to gather police body worn video footage.

IOPC Regional Director Sal Naseem said: “My thoughts are with the man and his family at this difficult time. We have been in contact with them and have explained our role.

“Our investigation will look at the contact the police had with the man before he went to hospital.

“I would like to reassure people that we will carry out a thorough and independent investigation into the full circumstances to establish what happened.”