Man dies in custody at Charing Cross police station

The Metropolitan Police said a risk assessment was carried out and the Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 13 Oct 2026 16:08:28 GMT

A 42‑year‑old man died after being found unresponsive in his cell at Charing Cross police station in Westminster. He was arrested on 1 October for recall to prison, found unresponsive at 4.27 am on 2 October and died in hospital on 11 October, according to the Standard and the Independent.

What happened

The man was taken into custody on 1 October and, as standard procedure, a risk assessment was performed to identify any medical issues. At 4.27 am on 2 October officers found him unresponsive in the custody suite. He was transferred to hospital, where he died on 11 October.

What the reports add

The Standard noted that the Metropolitan Police’s Directorate of Professional Standards has been notified and that the death will be examined independently. The Independent added that the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched a mandatory investigation following the referral from the Metropolitan Police. Both outlets reported that Commander Lou Sargent expressed condolences and said the force would cooperate fully with the probe.

What was said

Commander Lou Sargent, quoted by the Standard, said: “Our thoughts and condolences are with the man’s family and friends at this difficult time. As is standard procedure, the full circumstances surrounding his death will now be independently examined, and we will provide our fullest support to the IOPC investigation.” The Independent reported the same sentiment from Sargent, adding that the force would fully cooperate with the independent probe.

How it came about

Charing Cross police station has been under scrutiny since a BBC Panorama documentary in October 2025 highlighted a hidden culture of misogyny and racism, leading to the dismissal of 13 officers. The station is already subject to an IOPC investigation stemming from that documentary, and the current death adds another layer of scrutiny. Felo previously covered police‑custody deaths, including the John Makai case in September 2026, which highlighted systemic failures in medical response (read more).

Key facts

A 42‑year‑old man died after being found unresponsive in his cell at Charing Cross police station. (standard.co.uk)
The man was arrested on 1 October for recall to prison and found unresponsive at 4.27 am on 2 October. (independent.co.uk)
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has opened an investigation into the death. (independent.co.uk)
Metropolitan Police Commander Lou Sargent expressed condolences and pledged cooperation with the investigation. (standard.co.uk)