THE INQUEST into the death of 20-year-old Rashan Charles, who died after being chased by Met Police officers last year, begins today.

Mr Charles’s death, following restraint by officers in Dalston, east London, in the early hours of July 22 2017, sparked protests in the area.

He died just weeks after 25-year-old Edson da Costa lost his life following restraint by police officers in Newham, east London. Their deaths were two of five suffered by young black men involving restraint in England in 2017.

Last November, the police officers involved were granted anonymity for the inquest. The officer who initially restrained Mr Charles will be referred to as BX47, and another officer involved as BX48.

The family of Mr Charles, who was the father of a young daughter, issued a statement saying: “We support effective policing, fairness and justice, despite poor treatment and disdain throughout the scrutiny of this avoidable death.

“We will ensure due deference and respect to the inquest jurors and hope they are permitted to focus solely on facts and actions that took place on Saturday 22 July 2017, rather than speculation and assumptions that currently abound.

“We do not expect a fair process, when to date every stage of the investigation has been closed, secretive and hostile, whilst at the same time claiming to be transparent and supportive.

“However, we are committed to ensuring fairer scrutiny.”

Deborah Coles, director of Inquest, said: “This inquest must robustly explore all the circumstances leading to the use of force and whether the restraint was lawful and proportionate.

“There are legitimate concerns about over-policing and the disproportionate number of deaths following the use of restraint against young black men.”