Featured image of post Racism cited as factor in police strip search of girl, 15, at London school

Racism cited as factor in police strip search of girl, 15, at London school

Black child’s ordeal, which involved exposure of intimate body parts, took place without parental consent, review finds

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Black child’s ordeal, which involved exposure of intimate body parts, took place without parental consent, review finds

Highlights

  • Police strip searched 15-year-old girl in London school’s medical room.
  • Investigation finds racism was likely to have been an ‘influencing factor’ in officers’ actions.
  • Police apologised for what a senior officer described as the child’s “truly regrettable” treatment.
  • Child was made to bend over, spread her legs and use her hands to spread her buttocks while coughing.
  • She is now in therapy and self-harming, according to family members’ statements to the inquiry.
  • Police were called by teachers who said they believed she was smelling strongly of cannabis and suspected she was carrying drugs, but none were found.