Five Sussex Police officers could face criminal charges over the death of a 32-year-old man after he became unconscious in a police van.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission said the officers were under criminal investigation over the events leading to the death of Duncan Tomlin.

The watchdog had originally started a gross misconduct investigation in October, but the officers will now be interviewed under criminal caution in the New Year.

Mr Tomlin was restrained by police after they were called to Ryecroft, Haywards Heath, by a member of the public on July 26.

They placed Mr Tomlin in a police van with three officers after an interaction with him and he became unresponsive, the IPCC said in a statement today.

The watchdog added: “Mr Tomlin, formerly of Woodstock, Oxfordshire, was removed from the van on South Road in Haywards Heath at 12.10am on 27 July.

“He was not breathing, CPR was performed, and he was subsequently transferred by ambulance to a nearby hospital where he died on July 29.”

The IPCC said so far it has obtained statements from witnesses, seen CCTV footage of the incident, and reviewed statements made on the night by the officers involved.

It added: “IPCC investigators are examining the actions of officers, including the restraint used on Mr Tomlin in the street and in the rear of the police van, and the medical treatment provided by them.”

Mr Tomlin’s family told a The Argus in October that his son had been having an epileptic fit as police arrived, and they thought officers mistook this for violence.

He called for a robust investigation about the circumstances into his son's death.

The IPCC stressed that notification of a criminal investigation nor did not carry an assumption of guilt, but informed the officers they were under formal investigation and the level of severity.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Due to an on-going Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation we are unable to comment on the specifics of the incident in Haywards Heath on July 26.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with the man's family and friends and we are working closely with the IPCC in support of their investigation.”