Report: Child Strip Searches in England and Wales Halved Since 2020, But Black Youth Face Higher Rates

Dame Rachel expressed particular concern about ethnic disproportionality in reasons for using force: 'White children are more likely to be described as having a mental health need, while for black children the reason identified is simply their size or build.

' The National Police Chiefs' Council stated that updates to official guidance on stop and search are out for public consultation to ensure a 'child-centred approach' by police officers. It also said strip searches should be used only as a last resort and carried out with strict adherence to safeguarding protocols.

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Mariner of the NPCC said policing has made changes to policy about strip searching since the first Children's Commissioner report in 2022. He described updated police practice as strengthening 'safeguarding requirements, and places greater emphasis on the quality of the encounter - including communication, de-escalation, and dignity.

' The Children's Commissioner began investigating police use of strip searches on children following the case of Child Q, a 15-year-old black schoolgirl strip-searched at her school in Hackney, east London, in December 2020.

Child Q was wrongly suspected of possessing cannabis, and no appropriate adult was present during the search. A safeguarding report found the strip search of Child Q was unjustified and racism was likely a factor. Public protests occurred in March 2022 after details emerged in the safeguarding report.

' Two Met Police officers involved in the Child Q search were dismissed without notice for gross misconduct, while a third received a final written warning. Safeguarding rules require that strip searches of children should only be conducted when absolutely necessary and that an appropriate adult must usually be present.