The number of people who died in police custody reached its highest level for five years in 2014/15, figures from watchdogs revealed.

There were 17 fatalities in or following detention in the most recent financial year - six more than the previous 12 months, the Independent Police Complaints Commission said.

The last time the figure was higher was in 2010/11, when it stood at 21.

There were three deaths in West Yorkshire last year.

The force saw three deaths in or following police custody in 2014/15, compared to none in 2013/14, the highest number in England and Wales, according to figures from the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

There were also three apparent suicides, up from one the previous year, one road fatality, down from three, and two other deaths following police contact, down from three.

A Huddersfield man, Adrian McDonald, also died in Staffordshire.

He was Tasered by police as he was arrested following officers being called to a house party near Stoke in December 2014.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission are still investigating his death.

It was also revealed that there were 69 apparent suicides following custody. This is 50% higher than the 46 people in 2010/11.

The 17 deaths recorded in or after police custody in the last financial year is “broadly in line with the average” over the last six years, the IPCC said. Last year’s total of 11 was the lowest since recording began in 2004/5.

Fourteen of those who died were men and three were women. They were aged between 22 and 57. Fifteen were white, one was of Asian ethnicity and one was from a black background.

Home Secretary Theresa May will launch a major review into deaths and serious incidents in police custody later.