THE Police Investigations & Review Commissioner (PIRC) has launched an inquiry into the death in custody of a 33-year-old man.

Steven Chesney became unwell after being taken into custody in Motherwell police office yesterday. He died later in Wishaw General Hospital.

A spokesman for the PIRC said: “The Police Investigations & Review Commissioner (PIRC) has been directed by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) to conduct an investigation into the circumstances leading up to the death in custody of Steven Chesney, 33, in Motherwell on 1 May 2016.

“A report into the findings of the investigation will be submitted to the COPFS in due course.”

Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham added: “Our thoughts are with the family at this tragic time. We can confirm that the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has instructed the Police Investigations & Review Commissioner (PIRC) to carry out an independent investigation into the circumstances leading up to the death of a 33-year-old man at Wishaw General Hospital who became unwell on arrival in police custody within Motherwell Police office on Sunday 1st May 2016.

“As this is a live investigation, we are unable to comment further at this time.”