PCA investigates death in police custody

The Police Complaints Authority is to supervise the investigation into the death of a 49-year old woman in Sutton Coldfield on Saturday 27 September.

Officers from West Midlands Police who had been called to an address in Erdington, Birmingham, at around 9pm following a report that an 81-year-old woman was being attacked at her home. Police attended and arrested a woman outside the house. The woman became ill and an ambulance was called.

To avoid any delay, officers decided to take the woman to Good Hope Hospital in a police vehicle. On the way to the hospital the woman's condition deteriorated. Officers administered first aid and an ambulance was called and attended. The woman was taken by ambulance to the hospital where she later died.

The name of the deceased was given as Ms Linda Burt. She was the daughter of the 81-year old woman.

Authority member Mehmuda Mian Pritchard, who is supervising the investigation, said: "This is a tragic event and my sympathies go to the family and friends of Ms Burt. I have gone to Birmingham so that I can attend the post-mortem and later today I will visit her family. I will ensure a thorough investigation is carried out on behalf of the coroner."

(gmcg)