MORE than a dozen people have died following contact with Dorset Police over the past five years, new figures show.

Every year, the Independent Office for Police Conduct releases figures on the number of deaths following contact with police forces in England and Wales.

They reveal that between April 2017 and March of this year, 14 people died after contact with Dorset Police – including two in 2021-22.

Of the deaths recorded since 2017, one was the result of a road traffic accident involving police.

There was also one apparent suicide which happened after police contact.

Dorset Police said every death 'is a tragedy for the families and friends concerned'.

The 12 other deaths investigated by the IOPC can include a range of factors from police helping medical staff to restrain someone or, if officers are called to an incident that ultimately results in a fatality.

The figures do only include deaths investigated by the IOPC though an investigation doesn't necessarily mean impropriety.

Superintendent Paul Kessell, Head of the Professional Standards Department, said: “Each and every death noted in this national annual report is a tragedy for the families and friends concerned.

“There are certain criteria that requires us to mandatory refer a case relating to a death following police contact to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for independent investigation. There may also be incidents that don’t meet that criteria, but we may choose to voluntarily refer them if we believe they require additional scrutiny. Once this referral is made the IOPC will decide whether a matter should be investigated.

“It is important to note that while a matter has been referred to the IOPC for investigation, it does not necessarily mean that the Force, or individuals, have acted incorrectly or that anyone is unhappy with how the situation was handled.

"It is vital that we work with the IOPC and other agencies after someone has died or been seriously injured following police contact to identify any occasions where we can improve our service and learn from these tragic cases.”

Michael Lockwood, Director General of the IOPC, welcomed the drop in deaths in police custody - falling from 19 across the country in 2020-21 to 11 last year - but noted there had been a rise in deaths from road traffic accidents involving police.

Across England and Wales there were 39 fatalities in road traffic accidents involving police in the year to March, compared to 25 the year before – although Dorset Police were involved in none of them.

Mr Lockwood added that a "system-wide" response was necessary to tackle deaths in police custody, highlighting that mental health, drug and alcohol problems are prevalent among those who have lost their lives in the last year.