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| Police officers patrol outside the Scotland Yard building in central London on February 14, 2022 (AFP) |
Scotland Yard has apologized for the 'forced strip searches' of more than 600 children over two years, saying it 'should never have happened'.
Over two years in England, Scotland Yard carried out half-naked 'forcible searches' of more than 600 children, with black boys disproportionately targeted.
According to figures obtained by the Children's Commissioner from Scotland Yard, between 2018 and 2020 officers from the force searched almost 650 children aged 10 to 17 in a semi-naked state.
Of these children, 58 percent are identified as black and more than 95 percent are identified as boys. The figures were requested by Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel D'Souza after the ChildQ scandal came to light in March.
The police found a 15-year-old schoolgirl half-naked during her period on false charges of carrying cannabis.
Female officers of the Metropolitan Police conducted a search in 2020 despite the absence of another adult and knowledge of menstruation.
A review by the City and Hackney Safeguarding Children Partnership (CHSCP) concluded that strip searches should never have taken place. "It was unjustified and racist."
Four Metropolitan Police officers are being investigated for gross misconduct by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in connection with the incident.
Scotland Yard apologized, saying it "should never have happened."
Law firm Bhatt Murphy announced in March that the teenager was taking civil action against Matt and her school to "get a promise to make sure this never happens to another child again."
The IOPC has since confirmed that it is investigating four more half-naked searches of children between 2020 and early 2022 and is considering whether to consider three more cases.
The data shows that the number of searches of children in a semi-nude state increased by 18% in 2018, 36% in 2019 and 46% in 2020.
In almost a quarter (23 per cent) of cases, children were strip-searched when no 'legal adult' was present.
This is required by law, except during an 'emergency' search usually a parent or guardian is present but may also be a social worker, or volunteer.
Two-thirds (70 percent) of those searched were black boys.
A total of 53 per cent of all cases resulted in no further action, which the Children's Commissioner said showed it 'may not be justified or necessary in all cases'.
Dame Rachel said she was 'deeply shocked' by the figures, which showed that a large number of children were being 'subjected to this painful forced search exercise every year'.
He also expressed "extreme concern" at the racial disproportion seen in these statistics.
He said: 'I don't believe that what happened with Child Q was an isolated issue, but it is believed to be a specific example of a problem with child protection within the Metropolitan Police.
"I don't believe the Metropolitan Police are considering the welfare of the children."
Dame Rachel said she had given the figures to Baroness Louise Casey, who is reviewing standards at the Met Office.
The Children's Commissioner's team will request data from all police forces across England.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: 'The Metropolitan Police is working swiftly to ensure that children who are searched like this are dealt with appropriately and respectfully. We believe that such findings have significant implications.
"We have already made changes and continue to work hard to balance the need for the police to conduct these types of searches that can have a significant impact on young people," he said.
He said: "We have ensured that our officers and staff are aware of the latest information on the 'further search' policy." In particular, the presence of an appropriate adult is essential.
We have directed school officials to ensure that children are treated as children and to consider the safety of those under the age of 18.
We have also reviewed the 'Search Further' policy for under 18s. This is to ensure that the policy is appropriate and recognizes the fact that a child in these circumstances may be a victim of exploitation by gangs and others involved in the drug trade.
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