FOUR people died during or following contact with Gwent police in 2012/13 according to an Independent Police Complaints Commission report.

Kim, Kayleigh and Kimberley Buckley, of Cwmbran, who were killed in a fire in September last year, were among the four people included in the report, an IPCC spokesman said.

This is after the family had been in contact with the police prior to the incident.

Another person who died from an apparent suicide following custody is also included in the report. This incident did not require IPCC investigation and was referred back to the police. This person was not named.

The figure places Gwent police as the force with the seventh joint highest number of deaths during or following police contact across the UK between April 1, 2102 and March 31, 2013.

The deaths of Kim, Kayleigh and Kimberley Buckley are described on the IPCC report as 'other deaths following police contact'. This includes deaths that follow contact with the police, either directly or indirectly, that did not involve arrest or detention under the Mental Health Act and were subject to an IPCC independent investigation.

Gwent police had the highest number of deaths in this category across the whole of the UK.

The Argus reported how Carl Mills, 28, of no fixed abode, was jailed for a minimum of 30 years this month after being found guilty of the murders of his girlfriend Kayleigh Buckley, 17, their six-month old daughter Kimberley Buckley and Kayleigh's mum Kim Buckley, 46.

They all died when a fire, started by Mills, ripped through their home at Tillsland, Coed Eva, Cwmbran during the early hours of September 18 last year.

Gwent police reported the deaths to the Independent Police Complaints Commission stating they were "aware that police officers have attended 15 Tillsland on previous occasions". The IPCC is currently investigating.

The IPCC report showed that Gwent police had no deaths following road traffic fatalities or fatal shootings during or following contact with the police and also had no deaths in or following police custody during 2012/13.

Government statistics show that as of March 2013, Gwent police had 1,377 police officers (full-time equivalent). This made them the 30th biggest police force out of 43 police forces across the UK in terms of police officers (full-time equivalent) in March 2013.

Speaking about the report, chairwoman of the IPCC Dame Anne Owers said: "Each of these deaths is an individual tragedy, and it is crucial that we make sure that any possible lessons are learned."

A Gwent police spokeswoman said: ""It is extremely important to Gwent Police that when deaths occur following police contact that we are open in our referrals to the IPCC.

"While unable to comment on existing cases we remain committed to ensuring any lessons learnt from such enquiries are acted upon by us."

Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner Ian Johnston said: "I welcome this report by the IPCC. It is extremely important that these findings are made public to retain an open and honest relationship with our local communities.

"Clearly, any death in police custody or following contact with police is a tragedy and it is essential that lessons are learned from such events.

"I will continue to closely monitor the force to ensure that all possible action is taken to reduce the incidence of death in police custody and following police contact."