Death in police cell investigated

A man died in a Wellington police cell yesterday after being arrested for disorderly behaviour.

The 43-year-old man was arrested in Cuba Mall for disorderly behaviour about 10am yesterday and found dead in his cell, alone, about 2.45pm.

Inspector Greg Gilpin said a post mortem to establish the cause of death would be carried out this morning.

His name would not be released until the man's family had been informed.

"We're just trying to track down his next-of-kin now," he said.

He declined to say when the man had been previously checked before being found dead, saying the facts of the case would be established in the investigation.

The Police Complaints Authority is also investigating.

Following recent publicity about offensive behaviour by homeless people in the central city, police arrested five people in Courtenay Place and Cuba Mall on Wednesday.

- NZPA