Met Police Welcomes Report By Children’s Commissioner And Makes Policy Changes To How Strip Searches Are Conducted.

In response to the recent report by the Children’s Commissioner Rachel De Souza, a spokesperson for the Met Police told the Havering Daily:
“We welcome the report by Dame Rachel de Souza, Children’s Commissioner, and were pleased to have played a part in her research. We fully acknowledge that we have overused this type of search.
“The report recognises that the Met has made policy changes to how strip searches are conducted under stop and search. These include requiring the authorisation of an inspector, improved record-keeping and requiring safeguarding referrals for all strip searches under stop and search involving children. We have also taken action on awareness-raising and training in respect of adultification bias.
“We have been making significant efforts to ensure the use of this tactic is absolutely appropriate in all circumstances and that our approach puts the child at the heart of decision making, with safeguarding of that child the absolute priority. This has resulted in a considerable reduction in the number of searches being carried out.
“We absolutely recognises the impact that searches of this nature have on children, however we are very aware that children can be exploited and become involved in violent crime both as perpetrators and victims.
“It is for this reason that we are seeking to balance the necessity for such searches against the impact it will have on each child.
“On average in London, in the five years to 28 February 2023, we have each year seen 524 children (aged 17 and under) injured in a knife crime incident. Tragically, during that five year period, 55 children were fatally stabbed.
“An annual average of 584 children were arrested for possession with intent to supply drugs and 1,394 were arrested for possession of an offensive weapon.
“We have been listening to our communities and partners and the changes we have made seek to balance the policing need for this type of search with the very considerable impact it can have on young people.”

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