An investigation is underway into the death of a 34-year-old man held in police custody.
The incident, which happened on Friday (March 22) at South Shields police station after the man had been arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly, has been referred to the Independent Police Complainst Commision.
The man was arrested by Northumbria Police and was booked into custody at 8.25pm.
It is understood he was subject to 15 minute checks.
At 10.06pm the man was found in his cell not breathing and an ambulance was called.
He was pronounced dead at South Tyneside General Hospital at 11.44pm.
The IPCC was notified of the incident by Northumbria Police shortly before 1am.
A spokesperson for Northumbria Police: "Police referred the case to the IPCC immediately on the man's death and is fully co-operating with the IPCC's independent investigation."
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