Third Metropolitan Police child strip-search case under investigation, watchdog says | UK News

A third Metropolitan Police strip-search of a child is being investigated by the police watchdog.

It comes after two teenage girls, known as Child Q and Olivia, were strip-searched by Met Police officers while menstruating.

Acting Commissioner Sir Stephen House told the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee last week that there was another case, that he could not discuss.

On Monday the Independent Office for Police Conduct said: “We can confirm that, following a complaint, we are investigating the strip-search of a child.

“Due to the sensitivities surrounding this matter, we cannot provide any further information at this time.”

In March, Scotland Yard apologised after a black schoolgirl, known as Child Q, was strip-searched by police while on her period.

A safeguarding report found the “traumatic” search by Metropolitan Police officers took place at the girl’s school without another adult present and with the knowledge that she was menstruating.

It concluded that the strip-search should never have happened, was unjustified and racism “was likely to have been an influencing factor”.

Child Q, 15, later released a statement through her lawyer, Chanel Dolcy, saying that she will sue the Met Police.

The Met Police said last week that it had launched an investigation after a mother claimed her 15-year-old autistic daughter was strip-searched by officers.

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Case of girl, 15, being strip-searched by police ‘should horrify us all’

The force confirmed the woman had made a complaint after the BBC reported that the teenager was left traumatised and tried to kill herself.

The mixed-race girl, who has been given the pseudonym Olivia, was said to have been out with friends when they argued with two boys who phoned police alleging that the group had attempted to rob them at knifepoint.

Her mother said she was arrested after being accused of robbery.