Two police officers suspended after death of woman who collapsed in Brighton hotel

Two police officers suspended after the death of a woman who collapsed in a Brighton hotel.

Clare Cruttenden, 30, was visited at her home in St Leonards on Monday 17 February by officers after an aggravated burglary.

The next day she was reported missing and was described as “high risk”.

The day after officers from Sussex Police were called to the Brighton hotel where she collapsed.

A day later, Thursday 20 February, she died in hospital.

The force professional standards department has been asked to investigate the actions of offices and two have been suspended.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission said that it would supervise an investigation into contact between Clare Cruttenden and the police.

The investigation will be carried out by Sussex Police.

The force said: “Sussex Police has re-referred an incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commission following the death of 30-year-old Clare Cruttenden in a Brighton hospital.

“Clare had been reported as a high-risk missing person by Hastings Police on 18 February.

“On 19 February police attended a call to a woman collapsed at a Brighton hotel. She was identified as Clare and sadly passed away in hospital the following day.”

“Two Sussex police officers have been suspended from duty.

“The deputy chief constable of Sussex Police, Olivia Pinkney, has visited Clare’s family to explain the process of investigation and to offer her personal apology for the way Clare was treated by the police.”

An inquest into the death of Clare Cruttenden death has been opened and adjourned.