Newport man's death sparks protest as Gwent Police is referred to watchdog

A protest has been held following the death of a 29-year-old man in Newport.

The man, who has been named locally as Moyied Bashir, died in hospital shortly after having contact with police.

Gwent Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following his death.

Protestors associated with the Black Lives Matter movement marched from the centre of Newport on Thursday morning, before gathering outside Newport Central Police Station.

Officers were called out to a property on Maesglas Crescent on Wednesday morning following concerns for the welfare of an individual at the address.

On their arrival, police found a man who appeared to be having a "medical episode".

He was taken by ambulance to the Grange Hospital in Cwmbran, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

In a statement, Gwent Police said the incident had been referred to the IOPC "in line with standard procedures."

Speaking at the protest, Mr Bashir's brother, Mohamed said the family "want answers".

He said his parents were "heartbroken" at his brother's death. "No mother should have to bury her child".

"He was the life of the party. Not a bad bone in his body."

An IOPC spokesperson said: “The Independent Office for Police Conduct is independently investigating the death of a man following police contact in Newport on Wednesday."

We have established that Gwent Police officers were called to the property at just before 9 am yesterday following a report of a concern for Mr Bashir’s welfare. Shortly after arriving, police officers called for an ambulance as there was concern about Mr Bashir’s behaviour.

We are aware that Mr Bashir, who was not arrested, was initially handcuffed and leg restraints were applied at the property while an ambulance was awaited. During their interaction with Mr Bashir his condition was noted to deteriorate. Paramedics arrived and gave medical treatment at the address prior to moving him to a waiting ambulance.

We have established that by the time the ambulance had arrived a number of police vehicles and nine police officers had responded to the incident.

We have spoken to Mr Bashir’s family to express our condolences and explain our role. The Coroner has been informed and a post mortem is being carried out this afternoon.

We will be gathering more detailed accounts from the officers involved, and we are securing and will be analysing body worn video along with police radio transmissions and call logs.

Our investigation into the nature of the contact the police officers had with the man is in its very early stages."