IRR News

Two suspicious Black deaths in south London

By Harmit Athwal

4 September 2008, 2:00pm

The family of a Black man who died after being arrested by Brixton police is appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Sean Rigg

On 21 August, 40-year-old Sean Rigg was arrested, according to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) which investigates deaths in custody, on suspicion of public order offences and alleged assault on a police officer after police were called to the Atkins Road area following 'reports that Mr Rigg's behaviour was causing concern to members of the public'.

Sean was taken to Brixton police station where, while 'in the holding area of the custody suite, [he] became ill ... An ambulance was called to take him to hospital. While waiting for the ambulance, his condition deteriorated and became serious. He was given CPR. [He] was then taken to hospital by ambulance where he was formally pronounced dead at 9.24pm.'

According to an IPCC press release, Sean's sister, Samantha Rigg-Davies commented that: 'The family is deeply saddened by the sudden and untimely death of our brother whilst in police custody and are appealing for any people who may have seen Sean walking around the Atkins Rd area in Balham on the evening of Thursday 21st August 2008, witnessed the arrest, or were at the police station and saw Sean there, to come forward.'

A post mortem found no obvious signs of injury that could have caused his death. The inquest into Sean's death has been opened and adjourned at Southwark Coroner's Court.

Another death

The IPCC is also investigating the death of 15-year-old Reece Robinson-Webber who died on a street in West Norwood after a police chase. The young Black student died after falling from his moped after allegedly failing to stop for police.

The Institute of Race Relations is precluded from expressing a corporate view: any opinions expressed are therefore those of the authors.

Two suspicious Black deaths in south London

By Harmit Athwal

4 September 2008, 2:00pm

The family of a Black man who died after being arrested by Brixton police is appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Another death

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