Custody failings 'killing people'

People are dying because authorities are failing to learn the lessons from previous deaths in custody, campaigners have warned.

The same failings, such as problems with communication, healthcare and cell design, are consistently identified but learning is lost and changes are not being made, the campaign group Inquest said. There is nothing in place to make sure those failings are addressed and acted upon by the authorities, the report added.

It comes after the number of deaths in custody reached a "disturbing" eight-year high in 2011/12.