This is just shocking (trigger warning -racism)

[iloverock]

www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/department-for-education-metropolitan-police-services-scotland-yard-hackney-b988292.html

Please read the formal review.

Essentially the teaching staff called the police because a black 15 year old girl smelt of cannabis. She was taken to a room and strip searched. She was on her period. Her mother wasn't notified. She was not given the opportunity for an appropriate adult to be present.

The trauma from this! Her statement is heartbreaking too. Utterly horrific

Can anyone say why the report doesn’t address the point that strip searches are only warranted where Class A drugs are suspected, yet this child was suspected of having Class B? (Which she did not even have by the way for anyone who has not read the report or the Guardian article)

@Empressofthemundane

If they broke the existing protocols, it should be straightforward to discipline them.

The victim probably wouldn’t be in any better shape if they had carted her off to be stripped searched somewhere else. I think she is traumatised either way.

The thing is, that by taking her in there would be a lot more opportunities for someone to step in and stop this. It could've still happened of course and it has happened in the past , but so many things were wrong with their conduct and that search, that if it was done through proper channels , filling in the paperwork,calling a supervisor and all the protocols, someone could've been like "wait a minute...".

The cynic in me believes that's precisely why they did it at school, with the staff already being complicit for calling them over a smell.

The way I’m reading this the search should have been carried out by someone medically qualified unless someone of at least Inspector rank thinks it’s not practical?

4)An intimate search which is only a drug offence search shall be by way of examination by a suitably qualified person.
(5)Except as provided by subsection (4) above, an intimate search shall be by way of examination by a suitably qualified person unless an officer of at least the rank of [F1inspector] considers that this is not practicable.
(6)An intimate search which is not carried out as mentioned in subsection (5) above shall be carried out by a constable.

“suitably qualified person” means—
(a)a registered medical practitioner; or
(b)a registered nurse.

8)No intimate search may be carried out except—
(a)at a police station;
(b)at a hospital;
(c)at a registered medical practitioner’s surgery; or
(d)at some other place used for medical purposes.

(9)An intimate search which is only a drug offence search may not be carried out at a police station.

So they weren’t allowed to do it at the police station and were very loosely using the schools medical room as some other place used for medical purposes. Probably knowing that a hospital or GP surgery would step in to stop it.

They committed an abuse of power, wholly disproportionate to the suspected offence, and with no purpose except to degrade and humiliate.

They knew what they were doing was wrong but did it with impunity.

This is sexual assault. And as the girl was only 15, child sex abuse. Each of the police involved should be charged with this.

I cannot see what circumstances a strip search is appropriate whether on an adult or child.

And “smelling of cannibis”??? What the actual fuck. Even if she was running an international cannibis drugs ring im still not sure why a strip search was required

@carefullycourageous

I do not think it is about protocols, it is about organisational culture.

100% this.

Hackney Education continues to work closely with the school. A local investigation was undertaken by the governing board in order to understand how this situation was allowed to occur, including why school staff did not feel empowered to challenge the actions by the police. As a result the school has conducted reviews, including of roles and responsibilities in working with the police and an external evaluation of safeguarding.

Why isn't there an investigation into why the school called the police to begin with?

I think it’s about time the Met had a new person in charge who can come down like a tonne of bricks in these officers. There should be zero tolerance of this utterly horrific behaviour from the met. we’ve had raped, murder and now illegal search of a child!

This is a horrendous article. I’m sadly not as shocked as I should be.

I don’t see how anyone can see it as anything other than racist. I also can’t understand how all safeguarding procedures went out the window?

I’d have lost my job rather than let a child be abused in this way.

@LizzieSiddal

I think it’s about time the Met had a new person in charge who can come down like a tonne of bricks in these officers. There should be zero tolerance of this utterly horrific behaviour from the met. we’ve had raped, murder and now illegal search of a child!

Don't forget the university lecturer who was strip searched and mocked after handing a black teenage boy a card explaining his rights during a stop and search.

The Met just can't seem to help themselves can they!!

I filed an official complaint to the Met Police and emailed Diane Abbott. She replied back to me (or her office did at least!) and has actioned what she outlined in her email. Her actions have been outlined on her Twitter but I am grateful she has responded to this and stands in solidarity with myself and others who are outraged by this.

It may be a standard response sent to anyone who emails her about this matter but I am glad she made the effort to get back to me.

@purpleboy I wrote to Diane Abbott late last night even though I am not a constituent and she responded to me early today (see above) so I would write to her for sure.

The Met are absolutely rotten to the core. So corrupt. It has been the same for decades. They do not care because they can do what they like.

As for the staff at that school, words fail me. It must be an academy.

@Gotajobthrunepotism

This is sexual assault. And as the girl was only 15, child sex abuse. Each of the police involved should be charged with this.

I cannot see what circumstances a strip search is appropriate whether on an adult or child.

And “smelling of cannibis”??? What the actual fuck. Even if she was running an international cannibis drugs ring im still not sure why a strip search was required

I so agree with this.

I feel this child has been sexual assaulted by the state.

I cannot believe that 3 women stood outside while this happened to a child.

Selfishly I keep thinking of her poor parents being faced with this WTF story from their distressed child and nearly going mad from disbelief that organs of the state would do this to a child.

Both my sons are non smokers but have both come home occasionally with clothes smelling of smoke.

It is utterly mind fxxking that a smell would instigate such a totally disproportionately action.

I sincerely hope this results in the greatest clusterfxxk for the school, teachers, police officers involved and the Met.

That poor child.

It was a terrible thing to happen but it was actually in December 2000 when it occurred. Perhaps we should be asking why it has taken over twenty years for it to come to light.

you mean December 2020?

No Violinist64 - it was in 2020

[quote RedRum27]@purpleboy I wrote to Diane Abbott late last night even though I am not a constituent and she responded to me early today (see above) so I would write to her for sure.[/quote]
This is good to know.
She needs to know the public are behind her in pushing for answers and as far as I'm concerned prosecution.

Yes, I have just realised my mistake - I misread the date. That poor, poor girl. There needs to be a full report made and heads must roll at the Metropolitan Police.