`Unsuitable` police force contributed to man`s death

Police used an “unsuitable level of force” before the death of a schizophrenic man in custody, an inquest jury has concluded.

Sean Rigg was held after claims he had attacked passers-by in Balham, south London, in 2008. The 40-year-old had been diagnosed with schizophrenia as a 20-year-old. He died at Brixton police station after officers failed to recognise “there was a cause for concern”.

Southwark Coroner’s Court heard that on the day of his death in August 21 2008, he had not been taking his medication, but despite this the inquest jury found that officers used “unsuitable” force after arresting Mr Rigg.

Returning a narrative verdict, following the seven-week hearing, Coroner Dr Andrew Harris said: “The level of force used on Sean Rigg whilst he was restrained in the prone position at the Weir estate was unsuitable. In addition, there was an absence of leadership. This led to a failure to take appropriate control of the situation.”

The jury concluded that officers restrained Mr Rigg, who was a karate expert, in the “prone position” for eight minutes while he was being arrested, shortly afterwards, police used force “more than minimally” which contributed to his death.

Dr Harris added: “Sean Rigg’s health continued to decline during the journey in the cage of a police van back to the police station. Sean Rigg’s mental health was already, and continued to be, very poor. As Sean Rigg was brought into the cage at Brixton police station he was extremely unwell and was not fully concious. It was reasonable to expect the police to recognise that there was cause for concern regarding Sean`s mental and physical health.”