Appeal after police search death

An appeal has been renewed for information about a man who died shortly after he was searched by Thames Valley Police officers.

Habib Ullah, 39, of Slough, Berkshire, was part of a group searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act as they sat in a car in High Wycombe on 3 July.

During the search, Mr Ullah encountered breathing problems. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is appealing for witnesses.

Mike Franklin, IPCC commissioner, said: "Our investigation is progressing well and identified witnesses have now been interviewed.

'Unwilling to talk'

"The actions of five Thames Valley Police officers are currently under investigation.

"We are still awaiting the results of toxicology tests on the packages removed from Mr Ullah's body and the pathologist's report confirming cause of death.

"However we are still keen to hear from anyone who was in the area of Lee Court, Sharrow Vale on Thursday 3 July at the time this incident occurred."

He said it had been indicated to him that witnesses were unwilling to talk to the IPCC about the case.

"I would therefore like to reiterate, to these people in particular, that our investigation is completely independent of the police."