Black children in England and Wales four times more likely to be strip-searched, figures show
GuardianAug 23
England & Wales: Police Four Times More Likely to Strip-Search Black Children
Above: Activists and community groups block the A10 road outside of Tottenham Police Station in protest at the targeting of black youth by officers and misuse of stop and search powers on December 19, 2020 in London, England. Image copyright: Guy Smallman/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
A new report from England & Wales's Children's Commissioner, Rachel de Souza, has found that, while child strip-searches decreased 42% between 2020-22, one in 20 searches did not comply with regulations, and Black children were four times as likely to be stripped than the overall child population.
The report comes after an incident in 2020 involving a 15-year-old Black schoolgirl, identified only as "Child Q," who was strip searched at her school in Hackney, London after being wrongly accused of possessing cannabis.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
Invasive strip searches are a highly traumatic and humiliating police procedure. The practice not only violates personal dignity but also inflicts lasting psychological harm, particularly on young people. Addressing societal issues like poverty and inequality would be far more effective in reducing crime than these controversial and racially skewed policing tactics.
Pro-establishment narrative
While acknowledging racial disparities in policing outcomes, it's important to recognize that these issues are complex and not necessarily indicative of systemic racism within UK police forces. Top officials are involved in addressing disproportionalities, seeking to refine policies and practices. This reflects a broader societal effort to overcome historical biases.