The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is independently investigating a death in custody in Luton on Monday, 4 November.
Following a referral from Bedfordshire Police on 4 November, IPCC investigators were immediately deployed to the scene and we continue to carry out a number of inquiries today.
The IPCC will be carrying out a full investigation into the man’s contact with police in the Marsh Road area of Luton and at Luton police station. The man’s next of kin have been informed.
IPCC investigators are carrying out house to house enquiries in the Marsh Road area and are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen the man’s interactions with police before he was taken into custody or at Luton police station to contact them.
IPCC Commissioner Mary Cunneen said: "Any death in custody is an extremely serious matter and we have begun an independent investigation to establish exactly what has happened.
"We made contact with the man’s family and my thoughts are with them at what is clearly a very difficult time. I would like to reassure his family and the community that this will be an independent and rigorous investigation into the circumstances of his death.
"We are in the very early stages of our investigation. I would urge anyone who was in the Marsh Road area from around 2pm, or at Luton police station on Monday, 4 November and may have information which could assist us to contact the IPCC on 0800 096 9072 or marshroad@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk.
"Any information could be key in helping us understand what happened.”