Update: latest statement following the death of Samuel Diatta

UPDATE 10 August 2022 

This is an update in relation to the referral made by North Yorkshire Police to the Independent Office for Police Conduct following the death of Samuel Diatta who died in York following an incident at Mappin and Webb jeweller’s store in Coney Street on 26 July. 

North Yorkshire Police have been notified by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) that they will not be investigating the police’s actions in response to the incident, nor have they directed North Yorkshire Police to carry out its own local investigation into the officers’ actions.

The incident was referred to the IOPC by North Yorkshire Police in line with standard procedure when someone dies following police attendance at an incident.

The police and medical investigations into the circumstances and cause of Samuel’s death are ongoing, and the four people who were arrested in connection with the incident remain on police bail.

Find out more about how and when the police service refer incidents to the IOPC 

UPDATE 1.40pm, 29 July 2022

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Steve Menzies of North Yorkshire Police’s Major Investigation Team has released the following statement in response to speculation surrounding the circumstances of the incident at Mappin and Webb jewellers on Coney Street in York on the afternoon of 26 July 2022, in which 39-year-old Sam Diatta sadly died.

“I am aware of speculation, and some false reporting, regarding the incident at Mappin and Webb jewellers in York on Tuesday evening. This has caused distress to those involved, and to the family of Samuel Diatta, who unfortunately died following the incident.

“A 999 call was received by police at 4.41pm and officers arrived at the scene at 4.46pm. Whilst it is yet to be established why Mr Diatta entered the store, the investigation by the Major Investigation Team has not found any evidence suggestive that this was a robbery.

“Mr Diatta entered the store and became involved in an altercation with a member of security staff. This escalated resulting in the staff member being injured and Mr Diatta being restrained on the floor by a member of the shop staff and three members of the public.

“Upon police arrival, Mr Diatta was found to have become unresponsive, and emergency first aid was administered. Paramedics also arrived and continued to give Mr Diatta first aid at the scene. He was transferred by ambulance to York District Hospital, but unfortunately was pronounced deceased shortly after 6.40pm.  

“As with any unexpected death of this nature, a police investigation is required to establish the facts, to establish whether or not there is any criminality relating to the death, and to get the answers for Mr Diatta’s family and for those involved in the incident, and for the Coroner.

“Four people have been arrested in connection with the incident so that they could be interviewed whilst protecting their legal rights. Two of the men, who are in their 40s, and a man in his 50s were arrested shortly after the incident, and a man in his 50s was arrested on 28 July.

“All four men have been released on bail whilst the police and medical investigations continue.

“As this is a live investigation, I am unable to provide any further information at this time, but we are pursuing a number of lines of investigation which may take a number of weeks to conclude. All further updates will be posted to our website.“

 

Tribute to man who sadly died in Coney Street incident

The family of 39-year-old Sam Diatta (pictured), who sadly died following an incident at Mappin and Webb jewellers on Coney Street in York on the afternoon of 26 July 2022, have today released a tribute to him.  They said:

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of our beloved son and brother Sam Diatta.

“Sam was a wonderful member of our family who will be greatly missed by us, his friends and family around the world.

“Sam was half Senegalese and his family in Senegal meant the world to him. He was a keen sportsman and supported both the England and Senegal football sides. He also played for York RI rugby team.

“Sam spent the first 9 years of his life living on Leeman Road and attended St Barnabas church and school.

“When we moved to Acomb Sam attended Poppleton Road primary school for two years, before heading to Manor C of E Secondary school, where he was a popular face in his year group.  He belonged to Lidgett Grove church cubs and Scouts and enjoyed camping.

“Sadly, in his later teenage years Sam developed mental health issues which stayed with him throughout his life. 

“A gentle giant, who was kind and generous and loved by all who met him.  He had a strong Christian faith and with two others led the Christian Union at York College. 

“As a young teenager he professed his faith in Jesus by being baptised at Acomb Baptist Church. 

“We anticipate his funeral/thanksgiving service to be there at a date to be announced later.

“It has caused our family great distress to read some of the news articles online, suggesting Sam was involved in a robbery.

“This is incorrect information as confirmed by North Yorkshire Police and we respectfully ask that these rumours stop.

“Please can you respect our privacy moving forward.  

“The Diatta Family”

If you witnessed the incident and have not yet come forward, please call North Yorkshire Police 101 and ask for the Major Incident Team.   

If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.  

Please quote incident number 405 of 26 July.  

 

 

UPDATE 5pm 27 July 2022

This is an update following the incident at Mappin and Webb jewellers on Coney Street in York on the afternoon of 26 July 2022.  

At around 4.40pm, officers received multiple reports of a disturbance at the store and upon arrival a man was being restrained by a member of the shop staff and members of the public. 

Unfortunately the man, who has been named as Samuel Diatta, aged 39 and from York, began to have medical difficulties and was taken to York District Hospital where he was sadly pronounced deceased shortly after 6.40pm.  

A medical investigation is being conducted into the cause of his death. 

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Steve Menzies of North Yorkshire Police’s Major Investigation Team said: “This is a very tragic incident. The three men who were arrested in connection with the report have been interviewed and released on bail pending the results of police and medical investigations.  

“Samuel’s family are being supported by specially trained officers and I would ask that their privacy is respected to allow them time to grieve their loss.  

“I am also aware that there has been some incorrect reporting as to what has happened, which is distressing for the family. We ask that people do not speculate or spread incorrect information. However, it is important that we speak to anyone who has witnessed this incident, or who saw Mr Diatta immediately before the incident.”  

Anyone who witnessed the incident and has not yet come forward is asked to call 101 and ask for the Major Incident Team.   

If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.  

Please quote incident number 405 of 26 July.  

North Yorkshire Police referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which is standard procedure when someone dies following police attendance at an incident.  

 

UPDATE 27 July 2022 

This is an update following the incident at a jeweller's store in Coney Street, York on the afternoon of 26 July 2022. 

Sadly, the man who was taken to hospital following the disturbance has since died. He was aged in his 30s and from York. 

A total of three men, two aged in their 40s and one aged in his 50s have been arrested in connection with the incident. They remain in police custody for questioning. 

The circumstances of the incident remain under investigation and we are not in a position to provide any further details at this time. 

We do ask that anyone who was in the Mappin and Webb jeweller's store opposite Boots, or in Coney Street at the junction of Spurriergate and Market Street and saw the disturbance but has not yet spoken to the police, to please get in touch as soon as possible. 

Please call 101 and pass information for incident 405 of 26 July.

If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

 

Statement issued 5.43pm 26 July 2022

Police in York are at the scene of an incident at a jeweller's store in Coney Street.

At around 4.40pm on 26 July, North Yorkshire Police received a number of calls from members of the public reporting a disturbance at the store.

One man has been taken to hospital by the ambulance service and another man has been arrested in connection with the incident.

A cordon has been put in place while officers investigate the circumstances of the incident.

We will provide more information when we are able. 

405 of 26 July.