Commenting on the latest OCC report on the strip searching of children in England and Wales, Andy Smith, ADCS President, said:

“This report by the Office of the Children’s Commissioner on the strip search of children in England and Wales keeps up the focus on this important national issue. While the report acknowledges some progress has been made by the police, the treatment of children and young people continues to fall short of what we should all expect.

“Children and young people who have contact with law enforcement should be treated as children first and foremost and those who are working with them should respect and protect their rights, welfare and dignity. This includes police officers who should use their powers appropriately and lawfully. The data highlights concerning practices, and the ethnic disproportionality of children involved which will have a deep, traumatic and long-lasting impact on children, their families and communities. The report also evidences non-compliance of safeguarding processes specifically designed to protect children. This is unacceptable and must change.

“The disproportionate experiences of Black children highlighted in this report is sadly not new and it has significant repercussions for the children involved their families and whole communities. Urgent national action is needed to address the social, cultural and moral issues which sit at the root of the differential negative experiences our children have depending on their ethnicity.”

ENDS