News

Children’s commissioner urges police forces to submit child strip-search data

1 min read Youth Justice
Dame Rachel de Souza has called on police forces in England and Wales to submit data on the number of strip-searches carried out on children, in the wake of the Child Q case.
Rachel de Souza says child strip-searches must be accompanied by 'a transparent system of scrutiny'. Picture: Children's commissioner for England
Rachel de Souza says child strip-searches must be accompanied by 'a transparent system of scrutiny'. Picture: Children's commissioner for England

The children's commissioner for England has written to all police forces asking for the numbers of strip-searches carried out on children between 2018 and July 2022, and is due to release a full analysis of the data in early 2023.

A previous analysis of Metropolitan Police data, conducted by de Souza in August, found that 650 children were strip-searched in London between 2018 and 2020.

Some 23 per cent of these incidents did not have an appropriate adult – such as a parent, social worker or volunteer – present, even though it is mandatory under the Police and Criminal Evidence act 1984, the analysis found.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here


More like this

Student Services Adviser

Wandsworth, London (Greater)

Youth Work in Hertfordshire

Opportunities in districts across Hertfordshire

Enrichment Officer

Wandsworth, London (Greater)