Watchdog launch investigation after young man dies in police chase

The police watchdog has launched an investigation after a young black man died in a shop after being chased by police.

Met Police said the 20-yearold man, who has been named locally as Rashan Charles, was seen “trying to swallow an object” and that the officer “sought to prevent the man from harming himself ”.

Unverified footage on social media appeared to show at least one officer attempting to restrain the suspect on the floor of the shop, in Kingsland Road, east London, at 1:45am on Saturday.

He was later pronounced dead in hospital.

Chief Supt Simon Laurence urged people to keep up-todate with information from the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) amid concern over “speculation” about how the man died.

Mr Laurence said: “In the early hours of Saturday officers attempted to stop a car on Kingsland Road, E8. A man, who was in the car, was pursued on foot before entering a shop where he was seen trying to swallow an object. He was then taken ill. He was taken to hospital where, sadly, he died later that morning. Our thoughts remain with his family and friends.

“The Independent Police Complaints Commission has launched an independent investigation.”