Probe after arrested woman falls seriously ill

The woman, who has not been named, was arrested on October 26 following reports she had broken into two properties on the Longhill estate in Hull the previous day.

She claimed she had harmed herself and was taken to hospital where she was treated overnight before being taken to Clough Road police station in Hull where concerns were raised about her well-being.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said they had been told by Humberside Police that she had been examined before being sectioned under the Mental Health Act and transferred for further treatment at a mental unit in Hull.

But several days later she fell seriously ill and was taken to hospital for treatment.

The commission said yesterday it planned to investigate her care and treatment while she was in police custody. It would examine the care provided to the woman, the supervision she was placed under and any other evidence available, including medical assessments.

Cindy Butts, the IPCC’s Commissioner for Humberside, said: “I have determined that an independent investigation is necessary to determine if the care provided during this woman’s custody was of an adequate standard and if any more could have been done to highlight any medical concerns prior to her transfer to a mental health facility.”

Humberside Police said it had voluntarily referred the case to the IPCC.