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

Black children in England and Wales are eight times more likely to be strip-searched by police than their white counterparts, according to a report published Wednesday by the Children's Commissioner. The report, produced by the office of Dame Rachel de Souza, also found that black children were almost five times as likely to be subjected to force during stop and search than white children.

An estimated 377 strip searches of children took place in England and Wales in the first half of 2024, down 56% from 854 searches recorded in 2020, marking a more than halving of such incidents over four years.

' She added that strip searches without an appropriate adult present 'should never be happening,' noting 22 such cases between July 2023 and June 2024. Additionally, 26 strip searches of children were conducted in public view during that same period.

Ethnic disparities persist, with 35% of children strip-searched being of black ethnicity, even though only 6% of the population of 10-17 year olds in England and Wales were black according to the 2021 census.

' On the use of force, the report found almost one fifth of all stop and searches of children resulted in force being used, with 46% of those instances leading to no further action. There were 46 instances of force used during stop and search involving children under the age of 11.

White and Asian children were under-represented in being subject to use of force compared to the general population, while black children were over-represented.

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.