There have been more than a dozen deaths involving Norfolk police in the past five years amid concerns about a 'clear over-reliance' on police as first responders dealing with vulnerable people in crisis.

Figures from the police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) show there were 16 deaths following contact with Norfolk officers in the past five years.

Eastern Daily Press: six deaths in Norfolk occurred during other incidents that the IOPC investigated six deaths in Norfolk occurred during other incidents that the IOPC investigated (Image: Newsquest)

Four people died in or following police custody and two were the result of road traffic accidents involving police.

The figures also show four were apparent suicides.

READ MORE: Norfolk police to stop attending certain mental health jobs

Earlier this year Norfolk Constabulary announced plans to stop attending emergency calls related to mental health incidents except where there is an immediate threat to life.

IOPC acting director-general Tom Whiting said: "It is clear there is an over-reliance on the police service as first responders in dealing with vulnerable people in crisis.

"Police chiefs have expressed understandable concern about the heavy demand placed on their resources in dealing with mental health incidents."

Eastern Daily Press: Deaths in custody investigated by the IOPC included a man who died at at the investigation centre at Wymondham Deaths in custody investigated by the IOPC included a man who died at at the investigation centre at Wymondham (Image: Newsquest)

Lucy Mckay, spokesperson for Inquest, a charity which analyses state-related deaths, said: "We know from our work with bereaved families that so many of these deaths are preventable, both at the point of death and long before things reached a crisis point.

"Ultimately to prevent further deaths and harm, we must look beyond policing and redirect resources into community, health, welfare and specialist services."

A further six deaths in Norfolk occurred during other incidents that the IOPC investigated – which can include police helping medical staff to restrain someone.

READ MORE: Police restraint before death of Diss man ‘proportionate’

Eastern Daily Press: Krystian Kilkowski died after being restrained by police in DissKrystian Kilkowski died after being restrained by police in Diss (Image: Submitted)

An IOPC report earlier this year into the death of Krystian Kilkowski, 32, who died in August 2020 after being restrained on the ground in Diss for over 90 minutes found police actions had been “proportionate in the circumstances”.

Deaths of two men while in custody at police investigation centres at King’s Lynn and Wymondham have also been probed by the IOPC.

Deputy Chief Constable Nev Kemp, National Police Chiefs' Council lead for custody, said: "Police custody plays a pivotal role in keeping the public safe and supporting the criminal justice process.

"It is an exceptionally challenging and high-risk environment where dedicated officers and staff care for some of the most vulnerable and challenging people in society."