A WOMAN who collapsed while in police custody in York and died has been named as Toni Emma Speck.

The 31-year-old, who lived in the York area, has been formally identified and a post-mortem examination has taken place but further tests are needed to establish a cause of death.

She died last Thursday after being detained under the Mental Health Act, in the Bootham area.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has launched a probe into the circumstances surrounding her death and are appealing for witnesses to the events of Thursday, June 2.

The IPCC said Ms Speck had been stopped at about 2.50pm after a man flagged down police officers raising concerns about her violent and erratic manner. The Press understands she was seen wandering in traffic and trying to get into vehicles queuing on Bootham. Officers had tried to calm the woman down, but later had to arrest her and took her into custody where she continued to struggle.

It is thought the woman had been assessed by an on-duty nurse while in custody and deemed fit to be there, but about two hours later her condition had deteriorated and she became unconscious.

Staff at the police station attempted to resuscitate her and alerted the ambulance service, but she was pronounced dead on arrival at York Hospital at 6.48pm.

Anybody with any information should phone the IPCC on 08453 002 002 or email enquiries@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk