Joshua Cooper, a 25-year-old father, tragically passed away shortly after being handcuffed by police during a street disturbance in Biddulph, Staffordshire. Witnesses reported that Cooper was behaving erratically and was under the influence of cocaine when he entered an elderly resident's property. The police responded to the scene, where Cooper was found in a distressed state, reportedly under a pile of bricks, and acting in a bizarre manner. Upon their arrival, officers attempted to restrain Cooper, who resisted and made strange sounds that alarmed the witnesses.

The situation escalated quickly; during the encounter with the police, Cooper reportedly collapsed in a position suggesting distress and later died within minutes. The incident, which occurred on March 26 of the previous year, has raised critical questions about police conduct during such high-stress encounters, especially regarding the treatment of individuals under the influence of substances. An inquiry into his death conducted by the Independent Office for Police Conduct is expected to shed light on the application of force in this case and the appropriate measures that could have been taken.

This tragic incident highlights the ongoing issues related to mental health, substance abuse, and police response protocols in the UK. It calls for a deeper examination of how the police interact with individuals experiencing a crisis, particularly those who may be under the influence of drugs. The outcome of the investigation may influence future police training and responses to similar incidents, reflecting a growing need for informed approaches to mental health crises in policing.