More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Police watchdogs need witnesses to help them investigate the death of a young man after he was restrained by officers.
Sean Wilkes, 21, died after an incident at Richmond Street, Cheriton, in Folkestone, on Saturday night.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission today said he had been at a house party when Kent Police responded to a call of a disturbance.
It is understood Mr Wilkes was being restrained by two members of the public when two police officers arrived and took over.
They were joined by two additional officers, who were also involved in the restraint.
Mr Wilkes became unwell and was pronounced dead at the scene.
IPCC Commissioner Cindy Butts said: "Tragically a young man has died following contact with police and my thoughts are with his family at this terribly difficult time.
"With the help of eyewitnesses we can piece together as much information as possible to assist is in forming a clear sequence of events leading up to Sean's death."
The investigators wants to hear from anyone who witnessed events in Richmond Street between 10.20pm on Saturday and 1am on Sunday.
They are trying to piece together the circumstances surrounding this incident.
On Wednesday, they visited the area carrying out house-to-house inquires, distributing leaflets and putting up witness appeal boards in the area.
Ms Butts said: "IPCC investigators have met Mr Wilkes' family to explain our role and outline the investigation.
"I would like to assure them that our investigation will be thorough and robust in establishing the circumstances surrounding Sean's death."
A post mortem examination had proved inconclusive as to the cause of death and further tests are being carried out.
An inquest on the death opened at Folkestone Magistrates' Court on Wednesday and heard that Mr Wilkes became unwell as officers dealt with him.
South East Coast Ambulance Service were called, but he was pronounced dead at the scene at 12.42am on Sunday.
Mr Wilkes, from Folkestone, had a brother Kegan Wilkes who was found dead at a house in the town’s Black Bull Road aged 16 on February 23 last year.
It was four days after double murderer Stephen Farrow, who had killed a vicar and pensioner, was found in the same house while on the run.
Police said at the time the death was not suspicious and was not connected to the case of Farrow, who was jailed last November.
