To date there have been 1758 deaths in police custody or otherwise following contact with the police in England & Wales since 1990


Below is a breakdown of deaths in police custody or following other forms of contact with the police, as well as vehicular pursuits and road traffic incidents (RTIs) since 1990, by calendar year (January-December) and type.

You can also find further breakdowns of this data on the following pages:

Total deaths in police custody or otherwise following contact with the police, England & Wales, 1990-date
Type Metropolitan Police Other forces Total
Custody 274 846 1120
Pursuit 56 363 419
RTI 26 119 145
Shooting 31 43 74
All deaths 387 1371 1758

Deaths in police custody or otherwise following contact with the police, England & Wales
1990-date
Year Type Metropolitan Police Other Forces Total
2020 Custody 1 12 13
Pursuit 1 7 8
RTI 1 1 2
Shooting 1 1 2
Total 4 21 25
 
2019 Custody 2 12 14
Pursuit 4 11 15
RTI 4 1 5
Shooting 1 2 3
Total 11 26 37
 
2018 Custody 4 16 20
Pursuit 1 15 16
RTI 0 6 6
Shooting 1 0 1
Total 6 37 43
2017 Custody 4 21 25
Pursuit 4 10 14
RTI 1 8 9
Shooting 4 2 6
Total 13 41 54
2016 Custody 4 18 22
Pursuit 4 17 21
RTI 0 1 1
Shooting 0 4 4
Total 8 40 48
2015 Custody 6 21 27
Pursuit 0 4 4
RTI 1 2 3
Shooting 2 1 3
Total 9 28 37
2014 Custody 4 22 26
Pursuit 1 2 3
RTI 0 2 2
Shooting 1 0 1
Total 6 26 32
2013 Custody 1 16 17
Pursuit 6 8 14
RTI 0 1 1
Shooting 0 0 0
Total 7 25 32
2012 Custody 1 9 10
Pursuit 3 5 8
RTI 0 6 6
Shooting 0 1 1
Total 4 21 25
2011 Custody 3 20 23
Pursuit 1 6 7
RTI 0 1 1
Shooting 1 1 2
Total 5 28 33
2010 Custody 3 12 15
Pursuit 0 6 6
RTI 0 5 5
Shooting 0 1 1
Total 3 24 27
2009 Custody 4 11 15
Pursuit 1 7 8
RTI 3 2 5
Shooting 0 2 2
Total 8 22 30
2008 Custody 9 15 24
Pursuit 5 23 28
RTI 1 8 9
Shooting 2 1 3
Total 17 47 64
2007 Custody 6 23 29
Pursuit 3 11 14
RTI 2 4 6
Shooting 3 2 5
Total 14 40 54
2006 Custody 4 29 33
Pursuit 3 20 23
RTI 0 9 9
Shooting 1 0 1
Total 8 58 66
2005 Custody 9 33 42
Pursuit 3 33 36
RTI 2 7 9
Shooting 2 4 6
Total 16 77 93
2004 Custody 5 51 56
Pursuit 3 27 30
RTI 2 7 9
Shooting 1 1 2
Total 11 86 97
2003 Custody 12 50 62
Pursuit 1 28 29
RTI 0 11 11
Shooting 1 1 2
Total 14 90 104
2002 Custody 11 36 47
Pursuit 3 31 34
RTI 1 4 5
Shooting 0 2 2
Total 15 73 88
2001 Custody 9 25 34
Pursuit 1 25 26
RTI 1 8 9
Shooting 2 2 4
Total 13 60 73
2000 Custody 5 31 36
Pursuit 2 22 24
RTI 0 3 3
Shooting 1 1 2
Total 8 57 65
1999 Custody 15 32 47
Pursuit 1 7 8
RTI 0 5 5
Shooting 1 2 3
Total 17 46 63
1998 Custody 13 52 65
Pursuit 3 7 10
RTI 1 5 6
Shooting 0 2 2
Total 17 66 83
1997 Custody 15 43 58
Pursuit 1 16 17
RTI 3 5 8
Shooting 0 0 0
Total 19 64 83
1996 Custody 21 36 57
Pursuit 0 10 10
RTI 1 4 5
Shooting 1 1 2
Total 23 51 74
1995 Custody 12 36 48
Pursuit 1 1 2
RTI 0 1 1
Shooting 1 1 2
Total 14 39 53
1994 Custody 16 36 52
Pursuit 0 1 1
RTI 0 0 0
Shooting 0 1 1
Total 16 38 54
1993 Custody 17 19 36
Pursuit 0 2 2
RTI 0 0 0
Shooting 2 1 3
Total 19 22 41
1992 Custody 15 33 48
Pursuit 0 0 0
RTI 1 1 2
Shooting 1 2 3
Total 17 36 53
1991 Custody 24 36 60
Pursuit 0 1 1
RTI 0 1 1
Shooting 0 3 3
Total 24 41 65
1990 Custody 19 40 59
Pursuit 0 0 0
RTI 1 0 1
Shooting 1 1 2
Total 21 41 62

Source: INQUEST casework and monitoring

INQUEST's figures are derived from our monitoring and casework and are independent of those produced by the Home Office, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and other government agencies.

INQUEST defines police custody deaths as deaths that take place while the individual is in contact with police, whether or not they have been arrested, or that happen shortly after that contact. The death may not necessarily have occurred inside a police station. We do not include self-inflicted deaths following contact with police or deaths as a result of domestic violence where the police have been involved.

Figures last updated 25 September 2020.