Met Police misreports intimate searches of children

The Metropolitan Police have acknowledged that it misreported the number of intimate searches conducted on children. 

In 2021, the Met Police carried out 269 “More Thorough Searches that expose Intimate Parts” on children, a significant increase from the previously reported figure of 99.

Met Commissioner Mark Rowley recently admitted that the force has “misused” its power, raising concerns about the traumatising experiences faced by the children during these searches. 

Caroline Russel, a Green London Assembly Member, called for greater transparency regarding the number and locations of searches as well as the presence of appropriate adults during the process. In July, Russel requested location data for the searches conducted in 2021. On Monday, she was told that the reported figure of 99 searches was incorrect due to a “data transmission error.” The correct data shows 57% of the searches took place at police stations, 21% at home addresses and 21% at other locations. 

The Met Police stated that it has implemented policy changes regarding the conduct of intimate searches during stop and search procedures.