Tragic loss
With the community still reeling from the news of Riggs sudden death, which occurred just 90 minutes after he was arrested and taken to Brixton police station, questions have now been raised about Police officers competency in dealing with vulnerable people, such as those who have used mental health services.

While the details of the events surrounding Riggs death are still unclear, the IPCC published a statement detailing the Riggs, final hours . At approximately 7.15pm on the 21^st August, Police responded to reports that Rigg's behavior was causing concern to members of the public in the Atkins Road area.

He was subsequently arrested in nearby Weir Road on suspicion of public order offences and alleged assault of a police officer. He was taken to Brixton police station. Police reports say he then became unwell and was taken to hospital where he subsequently died at 9.24pm.

The Metropolitan Police Service referred the incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, (IPPC). The IPCC has secured CCTV from the custody suite and local area and have made a public call for witnesses to come forward.

The inquest into Sean's death was opened on, Thursday 28 August 2008, at Southwark Coroner's Court and adjourned until this week.

Family distressed at the loss

Commenting on this sudden loss, Samantha Rigg-David told BBC journalists, that her brother had mental health concerns but was otherwise healthy. Her family are keen to find answers to how a healthy man can lose his life so quickly after being taken into police custody.

‘From the time of arrest to the time being brought into police custody he's collapsed and died. We've not been told why. All of us are shocked, numb, totally gutted. We are anxious, some of us are very angry. He has a mental illness but he was very fit,' Riggs sister said.

A well loved Brixton resident, Rigg had  strong ties within the community where he regularly worked as a volunteer at the Franz Fannon community centre in Brixton, South London.

Sean had not only recovered from a  bout of illness but was doing well in the community.  Since this tragic incident, Black Mental Health UK have received a calls from those concerened about the treatment he received as a service user.

With black patients 50% more likely to be referred to psychiatric services through the police than their white counterparts, this latest development has decimated what little confidence, there was in the community in the police service.Many service users in the community now fearful for their lives, Black Mental Health UK has learned.

Health experts say that urgent moves need to be made to ensure officers receive appropriate training to deal with service users who may be in distress.

‘Sean was a recognised figure in the community, the Police knew him so it is a real shock for hear  that someone who was doing so well, can end up dead less than two hours after being taken to a police station', a Franz Fannon team member told Black Mental Health UK.

Investigation

Both service users and staff are the Fannon Centre are reeling from this news that a dear friend and colleague has lost his life in such a tragic and sudden way. 
  ‘This loss is harrowing for the whole community, and a great loss for us.  Sean was working for us as a volunteer and had actually become a befriender and was doing excellent work.  So this has come as a real shock to us,' an member of the Fannon team, who has chosen to remain un named, told  Black Mental Health UK.

A preliminary post-mortem test was carried out by a Home Office pathologist on August 22, but showed no obvious signs of any injury that could have caused death.

The IPCC investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr Rigg's death continues and anybody with any information which may help is asked to call 0800 096 9070 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

With this year marking the 10^th anniversary since the death of David ‘Rocky' Bennett, these latest developments have re-opened old wounds and make clear the need for trained services, outside of the police force, equipped to deal with service users, who are one of society's most vulnerable, if this unacceptable trend in the loss of human life is to end.