TWO Staffordshire Police officers face an investigation to determine if race or religion influenced their handling of a disturbance involving an Asian man who later died.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has launched an investigation into the way police handled the brawl which left Israr Ellahi with a fractured skull.

The 30-year-old father-of-three, of Stanley Street, died 12 days after the fight, which took place in June last year in nearby Roundwell Street.

The investigation has been brought by the IPCC after an official complaint was made by Mr Ellahi's family about the manner in which Mr Ellahi was attended to while he was on the ground.

The IPCC says its investigation will examine the actions of two officers who dealt with Mr Ellahi immediately after the assault.

It will specifically focus on what first aid and treatment was provided and how quickly professional medical attention was sought.

The investigation will also consider whether their response was influenced by Mr Ellahi's religion or race.

IPCC Commissioner, Amerdeep Somal, said: "I appreciate the violent disorder which took place in Tunstall last June and Mr Ellahi's sad death, have raised strong concerns.

"Mr Ellahi's family has complained that police officers were negligent in the manner in which they attended to him while on the ground following the assault.

"The IPCC investigation will independently scrutinise this particular complaint and impartially examine whether police officers acted appropriately in the circumstances.

"I would ask for patience while we investigate this specific matter."

Four youths have been locked up following the fight. Lewis Gilpin, aged 18, was given two years and eight months in youth custody after admitting violent disorder. Danny Munro, aged 19, was sentenced to two years and nine months, 18-year-old Rian Winspare, was sentenced to two years and 10 months and Joshua Taylor, aged 18, was sentenced to 21 months.

Mr Ellahi's brother, Isbar, and friend Shafiq Mohammed, were also jailed for 42 months and 36 months respectively after admitting violent disorder.

Community representative Parvez Akhtar, aged 46, of Tunstall, said: "We are not happy with the original police investigation. Why has no-one been charged with murder or manslaughter?

"The public are still quite angry and we want a full investigation.

"People are worried. No-one wants this sort of thing to happen to anyone else.

"But there are no racial tensions in Tunstall. No-one wants any fighting or any other families to go through this pain."

Tunstall councillor Lee Wanger, City Independents, said: "It seems to the community that the two Asian lads were locked up for longer than the other youths involved and made an example of. People feel very aggrieved about that."

Staffordshire Police confirmed the IPCC was investigating.