A man in his 30s has died following police detention in Blackburn.

Officers from Lancashire Constabulary were called to a cinema at the Clitheroe Holmes Mill complex on Friday 11th July late in the evening, following reports of a man refusing to leave.

The man was detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act. Under this section, a police officer can remove someone from a public place to a place of safety if they appear to be suffering from a mental disorder and need immediate care or control. It is not an arrest.

Officers transported the man to Royal Blackburn Hospital, where his condition deteriorated further. He was placed in the back of a police van, which was parked in an ambulance bay at the A&E department.

Sadly, the man became unresponsive early the next morning and died.

An investigation has been launched by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (‘IOPC’), following Lancashire Police making a mandatory referral to the IOPC. It is understood that a woman spoke with the man at the cinema prior to the police arriving, and that members of public inside A&E witnessed the contact that the police had with the man whilst at hospital.

The IOPC has appealed for information. Further information on how to contact the IOPC can be found here.

An inquest will be held into an individual’s death that has occurred whilst an individual has had direct contact with the police prior to their death. The inquest will need to explore the circumstances of the death, including whether the police policies and procedures were correctly sufficient and correctly followed by officers and whether any act or omission by the police caused or contributed to the death.

Here at Farleys Solicitors, we have acted for a number of bereaved families in inquests into the deaths of their loved ones who had died following police contact, including cases involving police restraint.

Recent inquests where Farleys have represented bereaved families include:

  • Mr E, whose inquest concluded earlier this year. Mr E sustained injuries during a detention for a stop and search. The injuries included fractures of 5 ribs, fracture of fibula and fracture to his larynx. The Jury found that the use of force by officers of Merseyside Police during Mr E’s detention likely caused these fractures, which contributed to his death. The Jury also found that the force used was not reasonable and proportionate in the circumstances.

  • Mzee Mohammed, who died in 2016 following restraint and arrest by security staff and Merseyside police at Liverpool One.

Mzee had been dealing with poor mental health following an attack in 2014, which left him with PTSD. He also had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and ADHD. On the day of his death, his mother had contacted local Mental Health Crisis Team and the police to raise concerns. Mzee was seen in the shopping centre, appearing paranoid and erratic, and holding a knife, though did not appear aggressive or threatening.

Mzee was held on the floor by security personnel and then handcuffed by police officers whilst he lay on his front. The Inquest heard that he was no longer in possession of the knife, but this was not communicated to the police. Mzee was placed in an ‘improvised recovery position’, whilst still handcuffed. Witnesses later told the inquest that the police did not attempt any first aid. Mzee sadly died later that day in hospital.

  • Farleys are currently instructed in the inquest involving Mr P, who died in May 2023. Mr P had admitted to ingesting an overdose of tablets. Officers and ambulance staff arrived at the property where Mr P was then handcuffed, with ankle restraints, and taken to hospital. Whilst at hospital, restraints were used again, despite Mr P’s deteriorating state. The death is currently being investigated by the IOPC.

If your loved one has passed away while in custody, our team will do all they can to offer you advice and support throughout the process. Often, legal aid will be available for family members to be represented at an inquest when someone has died following detention by the police.

To speak with a specialist in our inquests team, please call 0845 287 0939, or get in touch using our contact form or online chat below.