No police error over woman who died in custody, says IOPC

Helen Williams was taken to Caernarfon police station where she died the following day

North Wales Police did not cause or contribute to the death of a woman in custody, an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has found.

Helen Williams, 43, was arrested at 10:20 BST on 23 May 2024 outside a property in Bangor, Gwynedd, as part of a recall to prison, and taken to Caernarfon police station where she was held in custody for 33 hours.

She fell ill the next day, hours before she was due to be returned to prison. Paramedics were called but, despite first aid, she died.

"The evidence demonstrates that the medical interventions by police officers and staff were timely and appropriate but, unfortunately, were unable to prevent her death," the IOPC concluded.

The investigation, which followed a mandatory referral from North Wales Police, found the force had acted "in line with policies and procedures" in its treatment and response.

After her detention was authorised at about midday on 23 May, Ms Williams had been held in custody for approximately 33 hours, awaiting an appearance at court.

During this time, she was placed on regular observations by custody staff and was seen by healthcare professionals.

She was due to be returned to prison the following afternoon, on 24 May, but she fell ill, and when transport arrived to take her there she was deemed not fit to travel.

At approximately 16:15 that afternoon, as she waited to go to hospital, Ms Williams became seriously unwell.

Police officers and staff carried out first aid, with paramedics arriving around 40 minutes later, but Ms Williams was pronounced dead at 17:19 BST.

At the end of a one-day inquest in Caernarfon on Wednesday 19 November, a jury concluded her death had been drug-related.

IOPC director, Derrick Campbell, called the case "tragic".

He said, following the conclusion of their investigation in June, there was "no evidence to indicate that police had contributed in any way to Ms Williams' death".

He said the IOPC had interviewed officers and staff who had interacted with Ms Williams during her arrest and detention, and reviewed CCTV and body-worn camera footage.

"We found officers acted in accordance with policy and procedures during her arrest and detention."

"I send my condolences to the family and friends of Ms Williams and everyone affected by her death," he said.

A post-mortem examination concluded Ms Williams had died from complications of drug abuse.