SEAN RIGG: Criminal charges to be considered against officers who arrested Sean Rigg before he died in Brixton Police Station

Marcia Rigg meets Matt Bell SMALL
Sean Rigg’s sister Marcia Rigg talks to former Lambeth Borough Commander, Matt Bell, after the inquest in 2012. Pic by Tim Dickens

The Crown Prosecution (CPS) is to consider whether to bring criminal charges against two police officers who arrested Sean Rigg hours before he died in Brixton Police Station.

Rigg, a talented musician who battled with schizophrenia, died hours after police arrested him in Balham in August 2008.

In 2012 an inquest into his death found that police used “unsuitable force” when they detained him.

RESTRAINT: Pictures taken by an eyewitness
RESTRAINT: Pictures of the arrest taken by an eyewitness

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigated evidence from  Rigg’s inquest and has given its findings to the CPS.

Rigg was handcuffed and restrained in the face down prone position as officers leant on him for eight minutes.

The cause of death has been recorded as a cardiac arrest. The inquest reported a “litany of appalling failures” by police and mental health services in the run up to his death.

Last year the two officers were arrested by on suspicion of perjury and perverting the course of justice.