© Tom Blewitt – HMP Prisons Justice Group
Serious allegations have emerged following a reported incident inside a police custody suite in the West Midlands, where four police officers are accused of physically attacking a detained man before allegedly leaving him alone without medical attention.
The disturbing incident is alleged to have taken place during the early hours of Thursday, 8 October 2026.
Four police officers entered the man’s custody cell, where he was subsequently heard shouting and screaming for them to stop kicking and punching him.
The man was reportedly heard desperately pleading for the alleged assault to stop.
It is further alleged that, following the incident, the officers left the man alone inside his cell and no medical assistance was called.
If substantiated, the allegations would raise extremely serious concerns about the treatment of vulnerable individuals detained in police custody and the conduct of officers entrusted with their safety.
The circumstances surrounding the reported incident raise several urgent questions, including why four officers entered the man’s cell, whether force was used, whether that force was justified and why medical attention was allegedly not requested afterwards.
Police custody suites are subject to strict rules governing the treatment and welfare of detainees. Any use of force must be lawful, necessary and proportionate.
The alleged incident also raises questions about the availability of CCTV footage, custody records and whether any officers activated body-worn cameras.
Such evidence could prove crucial in establishing exactly what happened inside the cell.
Particular concern surrounds the allegation that the man was left alone following the confrontation without medical attention being requested.
While we do know the location of this custody suite we will not be releasing this information at this stage.
It is also not yet known whether the man sustained injuries or whether a formal complaint has been submitted to the police or referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The allegations warrant urgent examination, including the preservation and review of any available CCTV footage, custody logs and medical records.
Police officers have a duty to protect individuals in their care, regardless of the circumstances surrounding their detention.
The fact that an individual is under arrest does not remove their fundamental rights or justify the use of excessive force.
Those involved must be afforded a fair investigation, and no finding of misconduct or criminal wrongdoing has been established.
We believe the allegations are sufficiently serious to warrant a full and transparent investigation to establish precisely what happened inside the custody suite.
