The EDI Team’s Blog – New Guidance for Police Strip Searching of Children
On April 22nd, Children’s Commissioner Rachel de Souza published the fourth report in a series which examined the use of police strip searches on children in England and Wales. The report outlines the extent to which strip searching powers are used on children, and offers guidelines for improving practices to safeguard young people.
The catalyst for the commissioner’s report was the appalling case of Child Q. In 2020, a Black 15-year-old girl was strip searched by two police officers whilst at school in Hackney, East London. Child Q was searched without an appropriate adult present and whilst on her period. The officers used unnecessary measures after suspecting the Child was carrying cannabis, which was found to be incorrect. The case led to protests and rightly prompted a formal investigation, resulting in the dismissal of the two police officers involved due to their gross misconduct. This case is a shocking display of police malpractice but sadly this incident is far from unique.
The bravery of Child Q, and those who supported her to speak out, has contributed to the number of child strip searches falling by 56% since 2020. However, almost 1,800 strip searches were carried out on children in the following four years – 27% of these being under the age of 15. De Souza also found that almost half of all strip searches on children resulted in no further action, raising questions about their use.
Records show that Black children are still eight times as likely to be strip searched than white children, and almost five times as likely to have physical force used on them in the process. This echoes the long-standing concerns about systemic inequalities in policing Black children.
De Souza highlights that a potential factor behind this racial disparity is ‘adultification bias,’ where Black children are perceived as older and more dangerous than they are. This leaves them vulnerable to treatment from police that is rarely acceptable for their age. In 28% of incidents – size, build and gender were cited as reasons for using force against Black children. These play into the adultification bias.
However, the new guidelines emphasise that strip searching children should only be used as an absolute last resort where there is an immediate risk of significant harm. It also calls for stronger safeguards to protect children, including:
- Ensuring an appropriate adult is present, except where there is an immediate risk to the child’s life and welfare
- Making safeguarding referrals for every child who is strip searched
- Ensuring force is never used to detain a child for a strip search
- Improving the quality, availability and transparency of data related to child strip searches
Whilst there is more to be done, it’s encouraging to see the seriousness with which this issue is being treated.
This is an inspirational example of a person with lived experience bravely sharing their story and contributing to meaningful change. The ongoing work of Child Q and those supporting her have contributed to a clear framework that protects children from inappropriate and unnecessary strip searches. We hope that these guidelines result in further tangible action and institutional change to protect all children, and prevent Black children from continuing to experience increased levels of harm.