Five children strip-searched every week by Met without being arrested first
Five children are being strip-searched by the Metropolitan Police without even being arrested first every week – with new data also exposing huge racial disparities.
Exactly 799 children aged between 10 and 17 were reportedly strip-searched while not in custody from 2019 to 2021.
Most were for suspected drugs offences, while there was no arrest or outcome in just less than half of the cases.
More than 50% of those strip-searched were black – 436 people – while 75% overall were from ethnically diverse backgrounds – 607 people.
Only one in five – 179 – were white, FOI data obtained by LBC shows.
Previous data released in March showed 5,279 children had been strip-searched in the past three years overall, with 3,939 (75%) from ethnically diverse backgrounds.
It also follows backlash over revelations that a 15-year-old girl, known as Child Q, was strip-searched by Met officers who knew she was on her period.
No other adult was present during the incident, in which she was wrongly suspected of carrying cannabis.
The force has said they are working hard to ensure officers have a clear understanding of their policy – as the searches of 10 other children are referred to the police watchdog for independent investigation.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has said he is ‘concerned’ over the number of strip searches without arrest, although added that ‘proper checks’ are now being performed on ‘every single case’.
But Labour MP for Battersea, Marsha de Cordova, has warned it is ‘wrong’ to put a child through a strip-search if they haven’t been arrested.
Meanwhile, a former Met officer has warned that being strip-searched can be hugely distressing to children and leave ‘a scar in their hearts and minds’ after he spoke to families impacted.
Ali Hassan Ali, who left the force to start his own initiative combating violent crime, said: ‘All the families tell me the child spends more time in their bedroom now, doesn’t do well in school anymore, doesn’t socialise like they used to.’
His remarks come after the case of a teenage daughter who reportedly tried to take her own life after she was strip-searched.
Mr Ali added that it can also damage children’s trust in authority, saying: ‘They’ll see a police car, and they get scared.’
Both he and Ms de Cordova have been left enraged by the racial disparities and believe black children, especially boys, are often treated as if they are older.
A spokesperson from the Met has said the force recognises the ‘significant’ impact searches have on young people and is ‘progressing at pace work to ensure children subject to intrusive searches are dealt with appropriately and respectfully’.
Saying that ‘changes have been made already’, a statement continued: ‘We have ensured our officers and staff have a refreshed understanding of the policy for conducting a ‘further search’, particularly around the requirement for an appropriate adult to be present.
‘We have also given officers advice around dealing with schools, ensuring that children are treated as children and considering safeguarding for those under 18.
‘More widely we have reviewed the policy for “further searches” for those aged under 18. This is to assure ourselves the policy is appropriate and also that it recognises the fact a child in these circumstances may well be a vulnerable victim of exploitation by others involved in gangs, County Lines and drug dealing.
‘To ensure we have very clear control over this type of search, we have introduced new measures across the Met.
‘As well as requiring a discussion with their supervisor before seeking authority for a more thorough search and the presence of an appropriate adult, an inspector from a local command unit must now give authority before the search takes place to ensure appropriate oversight.
‘A Merlin report must also be submitted, to ensure safeguarding the child is the priority. The Merlin system contains information about a child coming to police attention.’
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