'˜Truth will come out' over death of Carl Brunner

Carl Brunner, 48, died while being held down to the ground by three plain clothes drug squad officers last week.

His friends, who knew him by the nickname of Yankee, left flowers and poignant notes at the scene of his death in Bedford’s Midland Road.

But two days later the tribute was wrecked and covered in what seemed to be urine.

“What kind of moron would do this? We are furious,” said one friend.

“Carl was a lovely guy, who was quietly spoken and no trouble to anyone,” he added.

Police were filmed by a member of the public as they approached Mr Brunner, forced him to the ground and appeared to use heavy force.

The force has now referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission for investigation.

IPCC Commissioner Mary Cunneen IPCC said CCTV has been recovered from the area, along with footage from body video cameras worn by two of the officers involved.

She added: “My thoughts are with this man’s family and friends at this time and I can assure them, and the local community, that we will carry out a thorough investigation.”

Witnesses are asked to contact the IPCC incident enquiry line on 0800 0969 070

Meanwhile newly elected Police and Crime commissioner Kathryn Holloway pledged to do all she could to ensure justice all round.

She said: “I gave a guarantee over the past seven months that I would never preside over a whitewash or a cover-up and I will not. I absolutely promise that I will make sure that the truth will out.”