Probe follows Polish man's death

The death of a Polish man whose body was found three days after concerns were reported to police is to be investigated, a police watchdog said.

Hipolit Konrad Legowski, 87, from Shifnal, Shropshire, was found in a field in Hartland, Devon, on 30 July.

He had been taken to Barnstaple police station following concerns for his welfare, where he was medically assessed by a doctor and discharged.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating.

Natural causes

A member of the public in Devon reported an elderly man who appeared slightly disabled and confused on 28 July, but police closed the call log without attending.

The log was reopened the following day after a missing person report by West Mercia police.

Devon and Cornwall Constabulary started looking for him and discovered his body at 2000 BST on 30 July.

A post-mortem examination was held and the cause of death was established as natural causes.

IPCC Commissioner Rebecca Marsh said: "My thoughts are with Mr Legowski's family and friends at this difficult time.

"The IPCC has been in contact with his family and have explained why we are investigating the circumstances leading to his death.

"The IPCC investigation will also look at the contact the force had with Mr Legowski on July 27 and 28 and will assess whether it was proportionate and within force policy and training."