The death of Sean Rigg in police custody "is a symptom of a deeper problem" according to the head of The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

An inquest jury returned a damning narrative verdict last Wednesday, finding there was an "unsuitable" level of force used when officers arrested him.

The musician from Tooting, who suffered from schizophrenia, died on August 2008 in Brixton Police Station.

After the verdict was delivered the family called for a review of the initial findings of an IPCC investigation after the damming verdict.

IPCC commissioner Amerdeep Somal said: "Mr Rigg’s death is a symptom of a deeper problem, the link between mental illness and deaths in or following police custody.

"Sadly it remains the case that in 2011/2012, half of the deaths in police custody were of people with mental illness. 

"As the IPCC has repeatedly stated, police stations are not, and cannot be, a place of safety for people with mental health problems.

"I have no doubt there are lessons for the IPCC from the investigation into Mr Rigg’s tragic death.

"We will ensure that the IPCC review of deaths which is due to begin in September takes into account the inquest findings and Mr Rigg's family’s concerns to see what improvements we can make in our practices to ensure a greater level of public confidence in our work in this crucial area."

The Metropolitan Police has also acknowledged the way emergency calls were handled led to a series of events which caused Mr Rigg to die.

Simon Byrne, assistant commissioner, said: "We sincerely regret the death of Sean Rigg and on behalf of the Metropolitan Police Service I wish to extend our deepest sympathy to his family and friends. It is always a matter of deep concern when someone dies in our care.

"It is clear from what the jury said and our own conclusions that the way we handled the calls about Sean's behaviour let us down and set off a series of events that resulted in him being taken ill whilst being restrained and dying in police custody."