Probe will look at care before woman died in custody

Helen Williams was taken to Caernarfon police station where custody

An investigation into the death of a woman in custody is looking at the level of care she received.

Helen Karen Williams, 43, of Caernarfon Road, Bangor died in custody on 24 May in Caernarfon, Gwynedd.

An inquest into her death opened in Caernarfon and was adjourned due to an ongoing investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

The inquest heard police were considering taking Ms Williams to hospital before she died.

Ms Williams was arrested by North Wales Police outside a property in Bangor on the morning of 23 May for a recall to prison.

She was taken to Caernarfon police station and remained in custody while awaiting an appearance at court.

The IOPC said it understood Ms Williams was placed on regular observations by custody staff and was seen by healthcare professionals.

On 24 May, Ms Williams was found to have had a medical episode and despite CPR attempts, the attendance of paramedics and an air ambulance, she was pronounced dead at about 17:20 BST.

Speaking during the opening of the inquest, Coroner Kate Robertson said she had yet to be provided with a cause of death.

The IOPC said the investigation is looking at the level of care provided to Ms Williams during the course of her detention.

It said this includes "decisions and actions of police officers and staff" and whether they acted in accordance with local and national policies and procedures.

It added that a post-mortem has taken place and further tests are being carried out.

IOPC Director David Ford gave his sympathies to Ms Williams’s family and friends.

“It is important that an independent investigation is carried out to fully establish the circumstances when someone has died in police custody.

"We will be keeping them [the family] updated throughout our investigation, along with the police force and coroner," he said.