POLICE watchdogs have voiced concerns about the way drunks are treated after they are arrested.

They spoke out as an investigation continues into the death in Huddersfield police cells of Milnsbridge man George Marriott, 50, last Christmas.

Initial findings showed he died of hypothermia when his condition failed to improve after 12 hours in the cells.

The Police Complaints Authority, in its latest annual report, said the case illustrated the central concerns it had about intoxicated people in police custody.

Mr Marriott died four days after police arrested him for being drunk and disorderly in Huddersfield town centre.

He was put into police cells after being assessed as being very drunk and incapable of being read his rights.

He was checked every half hour and police called a doctor after 12 hours because of his condition.

Mr Marriott was taken to hospital and died four days later on Christmas Day.

An investigation by the Police Complaints Authority is still uncompleted.

But the authority said it was concerned generally about drunks in custody.

Its annual report said: "While custody officers know they are accountable for the health and welfare of all detainees in their care, they do not feel that they are properly resourced or supported.

"There is general dissatisfaction with current training arrangements."