INVESTIGATORS probing the death of a man in police custody in custodey will revisit the area where he was arrested today in a bid to find potential witnesses.
Father-of-two Sheku Bayoh, 31, from Sierra Leone, was detained by police in Kirkcaldy early last Sunday morning. He died in custody shortly afterwards. A female police officer was injured during the incident and required hospital treatment.
The death is being examined by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC), who will carry out witness canvassing at the scene exactly one week on.
Investigators will stop traffic and pedestrians in Hayfield Road, Kirkcaldy between 6.30am and 7.30am today in a bid to identify new witnesses.
The PIRC, which carries out independent investigations into the most serious incidents involving the police, is examining the circumstances leading up to Bayoh's death, including his contact with officers. It will submit its finding to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
It is not clear yet how he died and results from a post-mortem examination - which has so far proved inconclusive - could take several weeks. His relatives have said they have not been given any answers and claim police have given them several different versions of what happened.
Last Wednesday, more than 200 people gathered in the area where he died, including his mother Aminata Bayoh, who travelled from Sierra Leone to demand justice for her son.
Last night leading human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar, who is representing Bayoh's family, said there had been a lot of unhelpful speculation around the case.
He said: "If anyone has got any information we really need them to come forward so the family can get the answers they are seeking and the investigation by PIRC can be as thorough as possible."
He added the concerns of the family would be raised this week in a meeting which is due to take place with Scotland's Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland.
A statement released by Anwar in the wake of Bayoh's death said: "At the age of 31 he leaves behind two young children, his partner Collette and a heartbroken family."
A fundraising page which states it has been set up to help pay for legal costs and funeral expenses described Bayoh as "gentle and loving by nature, charismatic and ambitious person, an artist, a loving father of two sons and had so much and everything to live for."
It added: "Sheku was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and grew up in London and Fife; he was a body building enthusiast and friendly to all his acquaintances.
"He will be sorely missed by his friends, family and sons, who will be growing up without a father."
Yesterday a statement from the PIRC said: "This Sunday 10 May 2015, from 6.30am - 7.30am, PIRC investigators will facilitate traffic stops and approach passing pedestrians in order to identify any potential witnesses who may have information that could contribute to the PIRC investigation into the death. The PIRC will be assisted by police vehicles and road policing officers who will manage traffic flow.
"The contact details of any witnesses identified will be recorded by the PIRC and follow-up interviews carried out week beginning 11 May 2015.
"It is hoped that canvassing at the scene one week on from the incident will bring new witnesses forward."
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