The Independent Police Complaints Commission will conduct an independent investigation into the death last night of a man who was in police custody in Woolwich.

Shortly after 10.30pm police were called to an incident in Calderwood Street, Woolwich, SE18. Metropolitan Police Service officers attended and a man was arrested at the scene. During the arrest the man became unwell and stopped breathing. Attempts were made to resuscitate him, London Ambulance Service was called and he was taken to Queen Elizabeth hospital. He was pronounced dead at 11.44pm.

The Metropolitan Police Service referred the case to the IPCC as a matter of course. IPCC investigators attended the scene in the early hours of this morning to conduct an assessment and gather evidence. IPCC Commissioner Mehmuda Mian Pritchard decided that the IPCC would conduct an independent investigation using IPCC investigators.

Commissioner Pritchard said: "This was a very sad incident and my condolences go out to the deceased man's family and friends. I can reassure both the family and the community that there will be a full and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident."

A post-mortem will be carried out later today.