UPDATED: Investigation after man dies in custody in Calow

David Stokes was in a car travelling towards Chesterfield that was stopped by police near the A617 at about 12.40pm on Friday, April 19.

The force has told the Independent Police Complaints Commission the car was stopped close to the junction of Calow Lane, Cock Alley and Hallflash Lane as part of a pre-planned operation and that Mr Stokes was arrested at the scene.

According to early police accounts, he became unwell as he was being taken to Chesterfield police station.

Officers say they diverted to Chesterfield Royal Hospital arriving at 1.04pm. Mr Stokes, who was from from Birmingham, was pronounced dead at 1.37pm.

The incident was referred by Derbyshire police to the IPCC and an investigator was sent to the scene. Following an assessment of the referral, an independent IPCC investigation was launched at 8.40pm on Friday.

IPCC staff have met with members of Mr Stokes’ family to explain their role and a further meeting between the IPCC Commissioner who will oversee the investigation, James Dipple-Johnstone, and the family is being arranged.

The police van Mr Stokes was travelling in has been seized for forensic examination and CCTV footage from other police vehicles obtained.

A post mortem was conducted on Saturday evening but a cause of death was not established. Further tests are now being carried out.

IPCC Commissioner James Dipple-Johnstone said: “I would like to extend my sympathies to Mr Stokes’ family and to assure them that the full circumstances surrounding the contact he had with police on Friday, 19 April, will be investigated fully.”