A GROUP is campaigning for a public inquiry into the deaths of black people in police custody.

The Oxford Justice Chasers, lead by activist Chaka Artwell, will host its first public meeting next week.

At the meeting the group will discuss the deaths of Nuno Cardoso and Adam Stanmore.

Twenty five year old Mr Cardoso died in the back of a police van on November 24, 2017, after being arrested.

A recent jury inquest into his death concluded police used 'reasonable, necessary and proportionate force' during the incident.

The Ruskin College student went into cardiac arrest while being transported to Abingdon Police Station at around 5.20am and the police van pulled over at Redbridge park and ride, but he died at the John Radcliffe Hospital that evening.

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The inquest's narrative conclusion stated that Mr Cardoso died as a result of cardio-respiratory arrest caused by intoxication from alcohol, cocaine and morphine.

At the opening inquest for Adam Stanmore in July this year, his probable cause of death was confirmed as hanging.

The 37-year-old had been missing for nearly four weeks when his body was discovered in woodland off Grenoble Road in June.

Friends and family of Mr Stanmore made a formal complaint against police who arrested the vulnerable man days before he apparently killed himself.

Police are still investigating the complaint.

The Oxford Justice Chasers will meet on Monday August 19.

The meeting, which will be open to all members of the public, will run from 6pm until 9pm in the back hall of the New Testament Church of God, Between Towns Road in Cowley.

Thames Valley Police's chief constable has been invited to the meeting to address the issues they want to raise.