Children subjected to ‘humiliating and traumatising’ strip searches

22nd April, 2026 | News

A report by Rachel de Souza has warned that too many children are still being subjected to “intrusive and traumatic” strip searches by police, despite a notable drop in cases in recent years.

The issue first gained national attention following the Child Q case, involving a Black teenage girl who was strip-searched at school in east London in 2020 after being wrongly suspected of carrying drugs. The incident, which became public in 2022, sparked widespread outrage and calls for reform.

According to the commissioner’s findings, the number of strip searches carried out on children has fallen significantly—from 854 in 2020 to an estimated 377 in 2024. However, concerns remain over how and when these searches are conducted. Some cases still involve children being searched in public view or without the presence of an appropriate adult, raising serious safeguarding issues.

Dame Rachel stressed that strip searches should only be used as a last resort, particularly in situations involving immediate risk of serious harm. She described the practice as deeply distressing and warned that repeated exposure could damage a child’s mental wellbeing and erode trust in law enforcement.

The report also highlighted disparities in treatment. Black children were found to be significantly more likely to have force used against them during searches compared to their white peers. In many instances where force was applied, no further action was taken, prompting questions about whether such measures were justified.

While policing bodies acknowledge the concerns and say updated guidance is being developed, the commissioner insists stronger safeguards and stricter thresholds are urgently needed to better protect children and rebuild public trust.