New figures reveal the number of deaths in police custody in South Yorkshire

This comes as UK-wide figures show more than 120 people died in police custody across England and Wales between 2011-19.

Ministry of Justice figures show South Yorkshire Coroner's Court recorded one death over this time.

Since this data was collected, Matthew Terrill, 46, also died while in South Yorkshire Police custody. An independent investigation into this death is ongoing.

T/DCI Richard Hammond, from the South Yorkshire Police Professional Standards Department, said: “Everyone who comes into contact with South Yorkshire Police, or who enters our custody, has the right to be treated fairly, in line with the appropriate guidance and approved national practice.“Although South Yorkshire Police only saw one death in police custody within the 2011-2019 time frame, every death is a tragedy and there is always more we can learn.

“We know the profound impact a death in custody can have upon the individual’s loved ones, and also the police officers and staff involved in their detention.“In the sad event of a death occurring in police custody, we are mandated to make a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and will ensure we cooperate fully with its investigation into the circumstances.“We will also conduct our own internal review to make sure any initial learning points are swiftly identified and actioned.”

Due to the ongoing investigation, South Yorkshire Police are not able to comment on the death of Matthew Terrill.The death of American George Floyd has highlighted the issue of people dying in police custody, particularly those from black and ethnic minority backgrounds.

Neither of the people who died in police custody in South Yorkshire were black.

Separate nationwide figures from the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which is responsible for overseeing the system for handling complaints against police forces, show that between 2009-10 and 2018-19 black people made up eight per cent of deaths in police custody across the country.

This was despite them comprising just three per cent of the population, according to estimates from the Office for National Statistics.

Charity Detention Action said the black community in the UK is over-policed and under-protected.

Bella Sankey, director of the organisation, said: "In the wake of the gruesome killing of George Floyd by US police, the UK must reflect on its own record of systemic racism towards black people."

Deaths in police custody in South Yorkshire made up just a small percentage of all of those who died while in state detention in the UK, which includes prisons and those detained under the mental health act, in the last decade.

Figures from South Yorkshire Coroner’s Court also show that between 2011 and 2019 one person died while in prison custody in the county.

A further three deaths were recorded within seven days of being released from custody.