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Met Police strip-searched 4,600 children over five years | Met Police strip-searched 4,600 children over five years |
(2 days later) | |
More than 4,600 children have been strip-searched by the Metropolitan Police over the last five years, according to figures. | More than 4,600 children have been strip-searched by the Metropolitan Police over the last five years, according to figures. |
The 4,638 children aged between 10 and 16 were dealt with between April 2008 and the end of 2013, being asked to remove clothes before being searched. | The 4,638 children aged between 10 and 16 were dealt with between April 2008 and the end of 2013, being asked to remove clothes before being searched. |
About a third of them were then released without charge. | About a third of them were then released without charge. |
The Met said a recent inspection found the use of strip-search to be "proportionate and appropriate". | The Met said a recent inspection found the use of strip-search to be "proportionate and appropriate". |
It has not given details of why these searches were carried out, although the procedure is used for evidence-gathering. | It has not given details of why these searches were carried out, although the procedure is used for evidence-gathering. |
'Safety and security' | 'Safety and security' |
The figures obtained by the The Guardian newspaper under the Freedom of Information Act also show that Met officers strip-searched about 134,000 people between 2009 and 2014. Of these, 10.5% were females and 3.5% were children. | The figures obtained by the The Guardian newspaper under the Freedom of Information Act also show that Met officers strip-searched about 134,000 people between 2009 and 2014. Of these, 10.5% were females and 3.5% were children. |
A strip-search involves a suspect being required to remove some or all of their clothing and police can also require searches of body cavities, including intimate areas. | |
In a statement the Met said there had been an 18% drop in the number of strip-searches of juveniles since a peak in 2010. It denied that such searches of children had become "routine". | In a statement the Met said there had been an 18% drop in the number of strip-searches of juveniles since a peak in 2010. It denied that such searches of children had become "routine". |
The Met said regular inspections of its custody suites and records were carried out by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabularies and Prisons, which found the use of strip- search to be "proportionate and appropriate". | The Met said regular inspections of its custody suites and records were carried out by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabularies and Prisons, which found the use of strip- search to be "proportionate and appropriate". |
A spokesman said: "Strip-searching is a vital power in police custody, not only to identify and seize evidence, but also to ensure the safety and security of all detainees and staff." | A spokesman said: "Strip-searching is a vital power in police custody, not only to identify and seize evidence, but also to ensure the safety and security of all detainees and staff." |
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