FORTY-FOUR people have contacted the police following the death of a man who stopped breathing while being arrested.

Police arrested a 43-year-old black man shortly after 10.30pm following a disturbance at the Vista Building, Calderwood Street, Woolwich.

He became unwell during the arrest and officers tried to resuscitate him after he stopped breathing.

The man, who still has not been formally identified, was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, and was pronounced dead at 11.44pm.

Since the incident on September 26, a total of 44 people have contacted the police.

Eleven of them came forward following a renewed police appeal on October 4.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission, (IPCC), is carrying out an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man's death.

IPCC commissioner Mehmuda Mian Pritchard, said: "We have received information we believe to be of interest.

"Our investigators will be following this up over the coming weeks. This is very encouraging."

Anyone who may have further information about the incident should call police on 020 7166 3200 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.