Man dies in police custody

The man collapsed at Thornhill Road police station

A man died in police custody in Birmingham, shortly after he was arrested by police investigating reports of damage to windows in a house.

A member of the public helped officers to restrain the 38-year-old in the Lozells area of the city, at 0035 BST on Sunday, a West Midlands force spokesman said.

The man was then driven to Thornhill Road station in Handsworth where he collapsed.

Police attempted first aid, but the man was taken by ambulance to the City Hospital where he was pronounced dead just before 0200 BST.

A force spokesperson said an investigation, supervised by the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), was in its early stages.

PCA member, Leo Pilkington, said: "I am in Birmingham and will attend the post-mortem. A thorough inquiry will be carried out on behalf of HM Coroner.

"This is a tragic death and our condolences go to the family."

The dead man, who is from Birmingham, has not yet been named by the police.