IOPC Publish custody deaths statistics for England and Wales 2024-2025

4WardEverUK • 4 February 2026

all credits: IOPC

published: 4 February 2026

Image Credit: Freerange Stock Archives at www.FreerangeStock.com


In July 2025 the Independent Office for Police Misconduct (IOPC) released details of their custody deaths statistics for England and Wales 2024-2025.


The following content is adapted from the IOPC website.

Deaths during or following police contact
Each year, we [The IOPC] publish data showing how many people have died after contact with the police. The report provides a definitive set of figures for England and Wales. It gives an overview of the nature and circumstances of these deaths.

Brief summary of the report:


This report presents figures on deaths during orfollowing police contact that happened between1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025. It provides adefinitive set of figures for England and Wales,and an overview of the nature and circumstancesin which these deaths occurred.


 During 2024/25, there were:


  • 26 road traffic fatalities
  • 2 fatal police shootings
  • 17 deaths in or following police custody
  • 60 apparent suicides following police custody
  • 50 other deaths following police contact that were independently investigated by the IOPC


Demographic information about those who died is provided in the report, along with details about the circumstances of their death and a summary of trend data. The appendix contains more information, such as the age, gender and ethnicity of those who died, and information about the police force or appropriate authority involved. (The appropriate authority is usually a chief officer or police and crime commissioner).


Some of the investigations into the deaths recorded in the report are ongoing at the time of publication. Details about the nature and circumstances of these cases are based on information available at the point of analysis.


Read full article & data tables here >

Download report here >

share this article on social media

Courtroom gallery
by 4WardEverUK 17 September 2026
Lawmakers are being urged to enact a new piece of legislation that would see police officers who are sent to prison immediately having their past cases reviewed to prevent miscarriages of justice.
woman in prison
by 4WardEverUK 15 September 2026
Campaigners welcome plans to bring IPP sentences to a close but say the move is long overdue. Marc Conway, a former IPP prisoner, said Burnham’s action was ‘an essential first step’.
Rodney Reed
by 4WardEverUK 11 September 2026
Nearly three decades after Rodney Reed was sentenced to death for the rape and murder of Stacey Stites, new evidence and allegations of racial bias are fueling efforts to overturn his conviction.
Steve Biko
by 4WardEverUK 10 September 2026
The reopened inquest into the death of Black Consciousness Movement leader Steve Biko has been temporarily halted after his family asked the High Court in Gqeberha for more time to prepare.
IOPC report
by 4WardEverUK 6 September 2026
In July 2026 the Independent Office for Police Misconduct (IOPC) released details of their custody deaths following police contact statistics for England and Wales in the year 2025-2026.
Daniel Morgan
by 4WardEverUK 29 August 2026
On 10 March 1987 Daniel Morgan left The Golden Lion pub after a drink with a colleague. As he strolled across the car park to his vehicle, Daniel was attacked from behind with an axe.
More Articles