Cymraeg isod
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) today published its annual ‘Deaths during or following police contact’ report for 2021/22.
Published for the 18th year, the statistics provide an official record setting out the number of such deaths, the circumstances in which they happen, and any underlying factors. Figures across the different categories can fluctuate each year, and any conclusions about trends need to be treated with caution.
Commenting on this year’s figures, IOPC Director General Michael Lockwood said:
“I welcome the fall in the number of deaths in or following police custody in England and Wales from 19 (2020/21) to 11 this year. This is the joint lowest figure recorded since these statistics began in 2004/05. However, we know that each and every death is a tragedy for the families and friends concerned. The same issues I have raised over previous years continue to be prevalent among those who died, with nine people having had links to alcohol and/or drugs and six having had mental health concerns. These same factors also feature strongly among the other 109 people who have died this year where we investigated the contact they had with the police prior to their death.
“It is vital that stronger efforts are made to work across agencies to help reduce deaths following police contact. These issues cannot be solved by the police service alone and need a concerted system-wide response to help prevent future deaths occurring. Specifically, we need to make sure that appropriate health and social services are available to meet the needs of those in crisis, particularly in response to issues of mental health. We also need to ensure police custody is as safe as possible, to better train officers to de-escalate in conflict situations where feasible, and to keep embedding learning into policing practice promptly. Police officers and staff need good quality, ongoing training and support to develop their professional skills and keep pace with developments. For example, spotting vulnerability is a recurring theme from our cases.
“It is concerning to note that this year has seen a rise in the number of fatalities from road traffic incidents, 39 deaths from 25 the previous year. Five incidents accounted for 12 of the deaths and a high proportion (85%) of the deaths were police pursuit-related. In the 13 deaths where the IOPC has concluded an investigation we found police officers acted appropriately, and in accordance with their training, policies and procedures.
“With our increased focus on prevention, we have issued nearly 100 learning recommendations from our investigations and reviews following deaths in the past three years. These cover a range of areas including call handling, incident grading, risk assessments, roads policing, and the welfare of detainees in custody. If learning emerges during an investigation, as in several of this year’s deaths in or following custody, we immediately inform relevant forces and national policing bodies to enable them to respond quickly.
“Many of the issues raised need a better system-wide response. I am personally committed to working with the Ministerial Board on Deaths in Custody and collaboratively with our partners and stakeholders to support this.
“We will be sharing this report widely to inform further work and learning to help prevent future deaths.”
The report ‘Deaths during of following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2021/22’ is available here.
Sylwadau Cyfarwyddwr Cyffredinol yr IOPC ar adroddiad ystadegau marwolaethau blynyddol 21/22
Heddiw, cyhoeddodd Swyddfa Annibynnol Ymddygiad yr Heddlu ei hadroddiad blynyddol ‘Marwolaethau yn ystod neu'n dilyn cyswllt gyda'r Heddlu’ ar gyfer Cymru a Lloegr 2021/22.
Wedi'u cyhoeddi ar gyfer yr 18fed blwyddyn, mae'r ystadegau'n darparu cofnod swyddogol sy'n nodi nifer y marwolaethau o'r fath, o dan ba amgylchiadau y maent yn digwydd, ac unrhyw ffactorau sylfaenol. Gall ffigurau ar draws y gwahanol gategorïau amrywio bob blwyddyn, ac mae angen trin unrhyw gasgliadau am dueddiadau yn ofalus.
Wrth wneud sylwadau ar ffigurau eleni, dywedodd Cyfarwyddwr Cyffredinol yr IOPC, Michael Lockwood:
“Rwy’n croesawu’r gostyngiad yn nifer y marwolaethau yn nalfa’r heddlu neu ar ôl hynny yn Lloegr ac yng Nghymru o 19 (2020/21) i 11 eleni. Dyma'r ffigur isaf ar y cyd a gofnodwyd ers i'r ystadegau hyn ddechrau yn 2004/05. Fodd bynnag, gwyddom fod pob marwolaeth yn drasiedi i'r teuluoedd a'r ffrindiau dan sylw. Mae’r un materion rwyf wedi’u codi dros y blynyddoedd blaenorol yn parhau i fod yn gyffredin ymhlith y rhai a fu farw, gyda naw o bobl wedi cael cysylltiadau ag alcohol a/neu gyffuriau a chwech wedi cael pryderon iechyd meddwl. Mae'r un ffactorau hyn hefyd yn nodwedd gref ymhlith y 109 o bobl eraill a fu farw eleni lle buom yn ymchwilio i'r cyswllt a gawsant gyda'r heddlu cyn eu marwolaeth.
“Mae’n hanfodol bod ymdrechion cryfach yn cael eu gwneud i weithio ar draws asiantaethau i helpu i leihau marwolaethau yn dilyn cyswllt â’r heddlu. Ni all gwasanaeth yr heddlu ddatrys y materion hyn yn unig ac mae angen ymateb cydunol ar draws y system i helpu i atal marwolaethau rhag ddigwydd yn y dyfodol. Yn benodol, mae angen i ni sicrhau bod gwasanaethau iechyd a chymdeithasol priodol ar gael i ddiwallu anghenion y rhai mewn argyfwng, yn enwedig mewn ymateb i faterion iechyd meddwl. Mae angen i ni hefyd sicrhau bod dalfeydd yr heddlu mor ddiogel â phosibl, i hyfforddi swyddogion yn well i ddad-ddwysáu mewn sefyllfaoedd o wrthdaro lle bod hynny'n ymarferol, ac i barhau i wreiddio dysgu mewn arferion plismona yn brydlon. Mae angen hyfforddiant a chefnogaeth barhaus o ansawdd da ar swyddogion a staff yr heddlu i ddatblygu eu sgiliau proffesiynol a chadw i fyny â datblygiadau. Er enghraifft, mae canfod bregusrwydd yn thema sy'n codi dro ar ôl tro o'n hachosion.
“Mae’n destun pryder nodi bod cynnydd eleni yn nifer y marwolaethau o ganlyniad i ddigwyddiadau traffig ffyrdd, sef 39 o farwolaethau o gymharu â 25 y flwyddyn flaenorol. Roedd pum digwyddiad yn cyfrif am 12 o'r marwolaethau ac roedd cyfran uchel (85%) o'r marwolaethau yn ymwneud â erlid yr heddlu. Yn yr 13 marwolaeth lle mae’r IOPC wedi cwblhau ymchwiliad canfuom fod swyddogion heddlu wedi gweithredu’n briodol, ac yn unol â’u hyfforddiant, polisïau a gweithdrefnau.
“Gyda’n ffocws cynyddol ar atal, rydym wedi cyhoeddi bron i 100 o argymhellion dysgu o’n hymchwiliadau a’n hadolygiadau yn dilyn marwolaethau yn ystod y tair blynedd diwethaf. Mae'r rhain yn cwmpasu ystod o feysydd gan gynnwys delio â galwadau, graddio digwyddiadau, asesiadau risg, plismona ffyrdd, a lles carcharorion yn y ddalfa. Os bydd dysgu’n dod i’r amlwg yn ystod cyfnod ymchwiliad, fel mewn nifer o farwolaethau yn y ddalfa neu ar ôl hynny eleni, rydym yn hysbysu heddluoedd perthnasol a chyrff plismona cenedlaethol ar unwaith i’w galluogi i ymateb yn gyflym.
"Mae angen ymateb gwell ar draws y system i lawer o’r materion a godwyd. Rwyf wedi ymrwymo’n bersonol i weithio gyda’r Bwrdd Gweinidogol ar Farwolaethau yn y Ddalfa ac ar y cyd â’n partneriaid a’n rhanddeiliaid i gefnogi hyn.
“Byddwn yn rhannu’r adroddiad hwn yn eang er mwyn llywio gwaith pellach a dysgu er mwyn helpu i atal marwolaethau yn y dyfodol.”
Mae’r adroddiad ‘Marwolaethau yn ystod y cyswllt heddlu canlynol: Ystadegau ar gyfer Lloegr a Chymru 2021/22’ ar gael yma.
An act of parliament that provides the core framework of police powers to combat crime and provide codes of practice for the exercise of these powers.
Leads and manages the development of the police service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The body that represents the interests of all police constables, sergeants, and inspectors.
Deals with someone’s inability or failure to perform to a satisfactory level, but without breaching the Standards of Professional Behaviour.
Focuses on putting an issue right and preventing it from happening again by encouraging those involved to reflect on their actions and learn. It is not a disciplinary process or a disciplinary outcome.
Department within a police force that deals with complaints and conduct matters.
Refers to lower-level misconduct or performance-related issues, which are dealt with in a proportionate and constructive manner.
This means doing what is appropriate in the circumstances, taking into account the facts and the context in which the complaint has been raised, within the framework of legislation and guidance.
The average is calculated using the individual results of the forces in that most similar force group.
An investigation carried out by IOPC staff.
Carried out by the police under their own direction and control. The IOPC sets the terms of reference and receives the investigation report when it is complete. Complainants have a right of appeal following a supervised investigation (unless it is an investigation into a direction and control matter).
This act sets out how the police complaints system operates.
How a police force is run, for example policing standards or policing policy.
An investigation carried out by the police under the direction and control of the IOPC.
The organisation that is responsible for assessing how to deal with a complaint. For example – whether it can be handled locally or reaches the criteria for referral to the IOPC. The appropriate authority may be the chief officer of the police force or the PCC for the force. If a complaint investigation finds that someone has a case to answer for misconduct, the appropriate authority is responsible for arranging any misconduct proceedings. If you make a complaint, the appropriate authority for your case will contact you.
An intelligence-led agency with law enforcement powers, it is also responsible for reducing the harm that is caused to people and communities by serious organised crime.
Policing bodies include police and crime commissioners, the Common Council for the City of London, or the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime.
Investigations carried out entirely by the police. Complainants have a right of appeal following a local investigation (unless it is an investigation into a direction and control matter).
IOPC guidance to the police service and police authorities on the handling of complaints.
A complaint or recordable conduct matter that doesn’t need to be referred to the IOPC, but where the seriousness or circumstances justifies referral.
Parameters within which an investigation is conducted.
A person is adversely affected if he or she suffers any form of loss or damage, distress or inconvenience, if he or she is put in danger or is otherwise unduly put at risk of being adversely affected.
This is where a manager deals with the way someone has behaved. It can include: showing the police officer or member of staff how their behaviour fell short of expectations set out in the Standards of Professional Behaviour; identifying expectations for future conduct; or addressing any underlying causes of misconduct.
This could be the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Common Council for the City of London, or the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime.
A flexible process for dealing with complaints that can be adapted to the needs of the complainant. It may involve, for example, providing information and an explanation, an apology, or a meeting between the complainant and the officer involved.
A flexible process for dealing with complaints that can be adapted to the needs of the complainant. It may involve, for example, providing information and an explanation, an apology, or a meeting between the complainant and the officer involved.
A breach of standards of professional behaviour by police officers or staff so serious it could justify their dismissal.
A matter where no complaint has been received, but where there is an indication that a person serving with the police may have committed a criminal offence or behaved in a manner that would justify disciplinary proceedings.
Disapplication means that a police force may handle a complaint in whatever way it thinks fit, including not dealing with it under complaints legislation. This may only happen in certain circumstances where the complaint fits one or more of the grounds for disapplication set out in law.
The ending of an ongoing investigation into a complaint, conduct matter or DSI matter. An investigation may only be discontinued if it meets one or more of the grounds for discontinuance set out in law.
Quarter 1 covers 1 April - 30 June
Quarter 2 covers 1 April - 30 September
Quarter 3 covers 1 April - 31 December
Quarter 4 covers the full financial year (1 April - 31 March).
You can request a review/appeal if you’re not satisfied with how your complaint has been handled.
Used to house anyone who has been detained.
Complainants have the right to appeal to the IOPC if a police force did not record their complaint or notify the correct police force if it was made originally to the wrong force.
The purpose of an investigation is to establish the facts behind a complaint, conduct matter, or DSI matter and reach conclusions. An investigator looks into matters and produces a report that sets out and analyses the evidence. There are three types of investigations: local, directed and independent.
The ending of an ongoing investigation into a complaint, conduct matter or DSI matter. An investigation may only be discontinued if it meets one or more of the grounds for discontinuance set out in law.
The type of behaviour being complained about. A single complaint case can have one or many allegations attached.
A person who makes a complaint about the conduct of someone serving with the police.
The ending of an ongoing investigation into a complaint, conduct matter or DSI matter. An investigation may only be discontinued if it meets one or more of the grounds for discontinuance set out in law.
List of officers and staff who have been dismissed from policing, or would have been if they had not retired or resigned.
The type of behaviour being complained about. A single complaint case can have one or many allegations attached.
Disapplication means that a police force may handle a complaint in whatever way it thinks fit, including not dealing with it under complaints legislation. This may only happen in certain circumstances where the complaint fits one or more of the grounds for disapplication set out in law.
An independent judicial officer, the coroner enquires into deaths reported to him/her.
A breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour that would justify at least a written warning.
No further action may be taken with regard to a complaint if the complainant decides to retract their allegation(s).
A record is made of a complaint, giving it formal status as a complaint under the Police Reform Act 2002.
This is a format where information is written in plain English and short sentences.
The IOPC must be notified about specific types of complaint or incidents to be able to decide how they should be dealt with.
No further action may be taken with regard to a complaint if the complainant decides to retract their allegation(s).
Casework involves assessing appeals. Casework staff also have a role in overseeing the police complaints system to help ensure police forces handle complaints in the best possible way.
Disapplication means that a police force may handle a complaint in whatever way it thinks fit, including not dealing with it under complaints legislation. This may only happen in certain circumstances where the complaint fits one or more of the grounds for disapplication set out in law.
Conduct includes acts, omissions, statements and decisions (whether actual, alleged or inferred). For example: language used and the manner or tone of communications.
You can request a review/appeal if you’re not satisfied with how your complaint has been handled.
You can request a review/appeal if you’re not satisfied with how your complaint has been handled.
