AN INQUIRY has been launched after the death of a man who was taken into police custody following a 'violent struggle' with officers.

Police were called to the Halifax Road area of Brierfield, at around 8.50am on Saturday following a complaints by residents that a man was damaging vehicles and houses.

Officers went to scene and Nadeem Kahn, 28, who is said to be from the Blackburn area, was arrested following what police said was 'a violent struggle'.

Residents have told how a man had walked along Halifax Road attacking cars, as well as the windows and doors of houses, leaving a trail of his own blood behind him.

He was said to have continued into Burnley Road, where he went into a hairdresser's asking for help but was followed by police who sprayed a gas at him.

Mr Kahn was taken to Burnley Police Station, but police said a short time later he became unwell and was taken to the town's general hospital. At 10.30am he was pronounced dead.

His family have since been informed but a post mortem examination was unable to establish the cause of death.

A police spokesman said they could give no further details as the incident had been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Mohammed Aslam, owner of Modern Hairdressing, Burnley Road, said he was caught up in the incident, after the man tried to come into his shop.

He said police sprayed a gas to try to get the man under control as he struggled with them.

Mr Aslam said the police did not hit or injure the man and that he was already bleeding heavily.

Mr Aslam saw the man come from the direction of Halifax Road and smash a window of a DIY store in Burnley Road.

The police arrived and Mr Aslam said officers tried to restrain him, Mr Aslam said.

"He then tried to get into the shop and was half in and half out when they sprayed the gas" said Mr Aslam. "They cuffed him and took him away".

John Crawley, IPCC commissioner said investigators had been at the scene throughout the weekend.