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Appeal over man's death after police restrained him

IOPC A picture of Adam Tidman smiling at the camera. He is wearing a green hoodie, and has a goatee and slicked back light brown hair.IOPC
Mr Tidman died two weeks after the incident outside a bar near London Bridge

A man who died two weeks after being restrained by police officers and security staff outside a bar near London Bridge is being investigated by the police watchdog.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said Adam Tidman, 34, was taken to hospital on 25 January after an incident at Belushi's Bar in Borough High Street, Southwark.

At the time, the Metropolitan Police said officers found criminal damage to rooms in a nearby hotel and were alerted to a man causing a disturbance in the area a few minutes later.

The Met Police has said it is aware of the IOPC investigation.

The IOPC said shortly after midnight on 25 January Mr Tidman was being held down by the bar's security staff when the police arrived and officers continued to restrain him outside the entrance but he became unwell.

He died in hospital on 11 February.

Google An image shows pedestrians walking past a bar with Belushi's branding on it in Borough High StreetGoogle
Mr Tidman became unwell outside the Belushi's bar near London Bridge on 25 January

The IOPC said it was notified of the incident by the Met on 25 January and has collected police body worn camera and CCTV footage and witness accounts. The police officers involved are currently being treated as witnesses.

IOPC director Amanda Rowe said a number of bystanders may have witnessed Mr Tidman being restrained on Borough High Street or the events that led up to it.

She added: "It's vitally important that we establish the full circumstances leading up to the man's death and therefore we're appealing to anyone who saw what happened to contact our investigators to help us to establish all of the circumstances surrounding his death."

The Met Police added: "It is important for public confidence that the details of this incident which tragically led to the death of Adam Tidman are thoroughly investigated.

"Our thoughts remain with his family and friends.

"The officers involved are aware of the IOPC's investigation."

A spokesperson for Belushi's said the bar "had been commended by the police and services for our team's quick response" and it is cooperating with the IOPC's ongoing investigation.

They added: "While this event did not occur within our venue or involve any of our customers, some of our team members were actively involved in managing the situation ahead of the arrival of emergency services."

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