A MAN has died while in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of assault.

The force said the 38-year-old died this morning (January 8) after being arrested in Reading at 2.15am.

He was taken to Loddon Valley Police Station where he was later found unresponsive about 7.10am.

Officers and ambulance staff gave emergency life support but he was later pronounced dead at Royal Berkshire Hospital.

Thames Valley Police has since made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) who will investigate the death.

The force made a mandatory referral to the IOPC on the grounds that the death occurred while in police custody. The IOPC has decided to independently investigate the death.

Thames Valley Police said it is fully co-operating with this investigation.

It added: "The man's next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time."