By Saul Cooke-Black

GLOUCESTERSHIRE Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl has lent his support to an independent review into deaths in police custody, announced by Home Secretary Theresa May on Thursday (July 23).

It will examine 'procedures and processes' involving custody deaths and serious non-fatal incidents.

Mr. Surl said: "I have always been clear with the police that when someone is brought into their custody in Gloucestershire their primary responsibility is to keep that person safe whilst they investigate the offences of which they are suspected.

"I know from personal experience how stressful it is either working in or passing through police custody facilities.

"If you have not been there, it’s very hard to imagine what it’s like, or be truly objective.

"The review will have my total support and it can only be in everyone's interest."

Official figures show there were 17 such deaths in the UK in 2014-15, none of which were in Gloucestershire.