It’s been revealed London’s Police Force strip-searched more than 600 children over a two-year period
England’s Commissioner for Children is “deeply shocked” at revelations about London’s Metropolitan Police reportedly strip-searching innocent children.
Dame Rachel de Souza says nearly one-in-four cases took place without a supervising adult in the room.
It’s understood most of the children were black boys and comes amid growing concerns over the force itself.
The data was released after a probe into alleged misconduct by four officers in the case of ‘Child Q’ .
The case involved a 15-year-old black girl who was strip-searched by female officers in 2020.
The girl was wrongly suspected of carrying cannabis at her school, and was menstruating at the time.
“I am not reassured that what happened to Child Q was an isolated issue, but instead believe it may be a particularly concerning example of a more systemic problem around child protection within the Metropolitan police.”
RACHEL DE SOUZA, ENGLAND’S COMMISSIONER FOR CHILDREN
Sadiq Khan is the Mayor of London, who says there are “many cases” of these instances.
“There remain serious wider issues with regard to disproportionality and the use of stop and search on young black boys,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police says the force is working to ensure these cases are dealt with “appropriately and respectfully”.
“We have already made changes and continue to work hard to balance the policing needed for this type of search with the considerable impact it can have on young people.”
METROPOLITAN POLICE
The force said officers and staff have undertaken a refreshed course on the policies relating to a ‘further search’.
There has also been renewed advice around dealing with schools, ensuring that children are treated as children and safeguards for those under 18.
