THE second highest incidence of drug-related deaths in police custody were found in the the Devon and Cornwall police area (11.6 per cent), according to a new report.

The area came just behind the Metropolitan Police area, which accounted for 18.6 per cent of deaths out of 23 police forces surveyed.

Police officers have been urged to be vigilant amid fears of an increase in suspects dying in custody after swallowing condoms packed with illegal drugs.

A new report from the Police Complaints Authority warned that the number of drug-related deaths in custody could grow unless officers were alert for signs of abuse in people they arrest.

The survey, which examined 43 deaths caused by illicit or prescription drugs between 1997 and 2002, found that more than 67 per cent had swallowed illicit or prescription drugs.

Men made up just under 90 per cent of the deaths, with 86 per cent white and an average age for the whole group of 32, according to the study.

The drugs found in the bodies of those who died included cocaine (55.8 per cent), alcohol (48 per cent), cannabis (44.2 per cent), diazepam (39.5 per cent) and heroin/diamorphine (25.6 per cent).

The study said quantities of cocaine consumed were 'at lethal levels' among more than 85 poer cent of those who had used the drug.

In 12 of the 43 cases, four or more drugs were found in the post-mortem examination.

The study examined cases covering an age range from 15 to 65.

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Dateline: Wednesday, June 25, 2003