UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – UK MPs call for major custody reforms after reports reveal children as young as 10 are being strip-searched without legal aid or adult presence.
As reported by The Guardian, two parliamentary reports warn that police must avoid detaining or strip-searching minors unless necessary, citing serious crime as the only valid ground.
What did the APPG report reveal about police treatment of children?
The All-Party Parliamentary Group found that children were traumatised by being strip-searched in custody. Several reported racist treatment and offensive remarks by officers.
Days after two Metropolitan Police officers were dismissed for their role in the strip-search of a schoolgirl known as Child Q, a year-long investigation was made public by the APPG.
A police panel dismissed racism as a factor in the particular incident, but the parliamentary group’s findings reflect accounts from youths who believe racial bias affected their searches.
In police custody across England and Wales, minors as young as 10 face the same procedures and legal safeguards as adults when detained by police.
The parliamentary group argued that child detention should be strictly limited, urging police to cap holding times at 12 hours, compared to 24 for adults.
What did Dr Miranda Bevan say about children in police custody?
Dr Miranda Bevan of King’s College London, who led the APPG inquiry, said detained children often struggle with educational or communication challenges. She stated that many were previously victimised, exploited, or involved with mental health systems.
She said,
“Yet these children – some as young as 10 – are being left alone in a police cell, with very limited adult support, for up to 24 hours. They are expected to decide whether or not they want to accept legal representation; a decision that they should not be asked to make in those circumstances.”
Ms Bevan added,
“We must reshape police custody into a space that recognises and responds to the unique needs of children. Reform must be rooted in evidence, and that evidence starts with listening to children and examining their experiences.”
How many reforms did the APPG recommend for child custody?
The parliamentary group has outlined 10 recommendations to improve child safeguarding in detention.
These include restricting strip-searches to exceptional situations and ensuring every child receives legal advice.
What did strip-search victims say about police treatment?
Police officials, experts, and volunteers contributed to the APPG’s inquiry. Ten children who were strip-searched also shared first-hand testimonies.
One victim said,
“Police officials, experts, and volunteers contributed to the APPG’s inquiry. Ten children who were strip-searched also shared first-hand testimonies.”
Another child claimed they were subjected to a cavity search, adding,
“She didn’t say anything about it. I just felt it. I know that’s not meant to happen … There wasn’t any appropriate adult. I had to wait until the next day to have one. While this was happening, I was saying bad words. They charged me for that. I get flashbacks of it for sure … My dignity has just been taken.”
One child, who claimed racism played a role in their treatment, said:
“I felt hatred. I was very angry because I felt like I could do nothing about it … Racial slurs or whatever else I’ve been called when I’ve been grabbed in searches, and whatever else. I’ve been called a ‘spear chucking N-word’ and I’ve been called the Middle Eastern racial slur for Pakistanis.”
What did Alex Carlile say about treating children in custody?
Alex Carlile, a barrister and officer of the APPG, said,
“Children are not miniature adults – they are vulnerable, developing individuals who must be treated as such when they come into contact with the criminal justice system.”
Child detention rules in the UK
- Children can only be detained in exceptional cases.
- Limit: 24 hrs for unaccompanied minors, 72 hrs for families (extendable to 7 days).
- Child police detention should be a last resort, limited to 12 hrs.
- Strip searches are only allowed in truly exceptional cases.