Death of woman in police custody investigated

Claire Charlton, 37, died at the Police Investigation Centre in Portsmouth

The death of a woman in custody is being investigated by the police watchdog,

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said Claire Charlton, 37, died at the Police Investigation Centre in Portsmouth on 10 July.

She had been arrested in Watford by Hertfordshire Constabulary officers two days earlier.

The IOPC said it was investigating following a mandatory referral from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.

It said Ms Charlton was arrested on 8 July in Watford in relation to offences allegedly committed in Portsmouth.

She was taken to the custody suite at Hatfield before being transferred into the custody of Hampshire police and taken to a custody suite in Portsmouth, where she was charged and remanded in custody to appear in court on 10 July.

At about 02:00 BST on 10 July, custody staff found Ms Charlton unresponsive in her cell.

She was given CPR and paramedics were called but was pronounced dead a short time later.

The IPOC said it had begun investigating police contact with Ms Charlton between 8 and 10 July, including the checks made on her while in custody and the medical advice provided by healthcare professionals.

"As part of our investigation, we have secured CCTV footage from the custody suite and are also reviewing custody logs. We are also obtaining statements from the relevant custody staff involved from both police forces," it said.

The IOPC said a post-mortem examination was completed on 11 July and it was awaiting the results of further testing.

The coroner has been informed and an inquest into Ms Charlton's death has been opened and adjourned until June 2026, while the circumstances surrounding her death are investigated.