Child strip searches

Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 01/FOI/25/007634/T

 Version Date: 27/03/2025

The Performance & Analysis Department have provided the following information.

1. Statistics and information on the location a child was strip searched (for example, at a station, at home, in schools, etc).

No information held.

2. Provide a copy of your policy in relation to the location of strip searching of children under stop and search, and any recent changes that have been made.

The Force Policy and Operational Procedure (DCP-OPr-041) was reviewed and updated on 15^th July 2024. It includes the following:

‘3.8.8  The searching officer must be the same sex as the child.  The search cannot be conducted in a place where the child can be seen by a person of the opposite sex, accept an Appropriate Adult requested by the child.

3.8.9   Strip searches may only be conducted at a nearby police station, medical premises or the child or young person’s home address.  No strip search of a child will be undertaken on any school or educational premises. 

3.9       Children under 10 years of age

3.9.1   Children under 10 should only be stopped and searched in exceptional circumstances. Where it is necessary to do so, regardless of the extent of search, every effort should be made for the search to be conducted in a child-friendly location in the presence of an appropriate adult.

3.9.2   This could mean taking the child to their home to be searched in the presence of their parent or guardian. Where this is not operationally possible, the search should as a minimum take place in a safe and controlled area, a police station being preferable to the street or in a police vehicle.’

3. How many strip searches of children, under stop and search, have been carried out in the last 5 years.
   
   Clarification: Child considered to be anyone aged under 18

Data Processing:

Age Group at time: 11 to 17, Under 11

Scrutiny Strip Search Flag: Yes                           

Data: