The number of deaths in or following police custody in England and Wales has increased significantly, doubling in 12 months to the joint-highest level in the past 16 years, the police watchdog has said.

Figures from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) showed the number of deaths surged past the 10-year average as it increased from 11 in 2021-22 to 23 the following year.

"Sadly, we have seen a significant rise this year in the number of deaths in or following police custody, up to 23 from 11, and the highest figure recorded for five years,” said the IOPC’s acting director general, Tom Whiting.

“While last year’s figure was particularly low, the fact we have seen a sharp reverse is concerning and raises challenges which spread well beyond policing."

The figure is the highest since 2017-18 when there were also 23 fatalities. The worst year was 2006-07, when 27 deaths were reported. The average number of deaths in a year during the past decade was about 16.

Of the 23 people who died in or following police custody, 22 were men and one was a woman. The age range varied from 20 to 93 years old, with 19 victims being white, two black, one of mixed ethnicity and one Asian. The absolute numbers of deaths meant no meaningful comparison with the racial and ethnic mix of the general population could be drawn.

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