Police death probe: witnesses staying silent

12:14pm Friday 8th August 2008

SOME witnesses are refusing to talk to independent investigators looking into the death of man who had been searched by police.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission today renewed its call for residents to speak out over the death of Habib Ullah.

It insisted the investigation was independent of Thames Valley Police. The IPCC is looking into the actions of five officers.

Mr Ullah, 39, died at Wycombe Hospital after a car he was in was searched by police in Lee Court, Sharrow Vale, High Wycombe on July 3.

He was restrained by police and encountered breathing difficulties.

A package was removed from his windpipe and sent away for analysis an initial IPCC report said.

"Drug paraphernalia" was found in a rear footwell of the car, it said.

Mike Franklin, IPCC Commissioner for Thames Valley, said: "It has been indicated to me there are witnesses who remain unwilling to talk to the IPCC."

He said: "Our investigation is progressing well and identified witnesses have now been interviewed.

"The actions of five Thames Valley Police officers are currently under investigation.

"We are still awaiting the results of toxicology tests on the packages removed from Mr Ullah's body and the pathologist's report confirming cause of death.

"However we are still keen to hear from anyone who was in the area of Lee Court, Sharrow Vale on Thursday 3 July at the time this incident occurred.

"I would therefore like to reiterate, to these people in particular, that our investigation is completely independent of the police and urge them to contact our witness appeal on 0800 096 9075 or email ullahappeal@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk."

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