Black children eight times more likely to be strip searched by police, report says
Summary
A report from the Children's Commissioner in England and Wales shows that Black children are eight times more likely to be strip searched by police compared to white children. The report also found that Black children face more use of force during stop and search, and many strip searches happen without an adult present or in public places.Key Facts
- Black children are eight times more likely to be strip searched than white children.
- The total number of strip searches on children fell by 56% from 854 in 2020 to 377 in early 2024.
- 26 strip searches were done in public between July 2023 and June 2024.
- 22 strip searches happened without an appropriate adult present during the same period.
- Black children make up 35% of strip searched kids but only 6% of the child population.
- Use of force was involved in about 20% of stop and search cases, mostly ending with no further action.
- Black children are more likely to face use of force due to their size or build, unlike white children, who are more often described as having mental health needs.
- Nearly one-third of strip searched children had been searched before, raising concerns about repeated harm.
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