Greater Manchester Police Ends Strip Searches for Welfare and Self-Harm Reasons

Greater Manchester Police (GMP), a force that has faced criticism regarding its handling of women and girls in detention, has discontinued strip searches previously carried out for “welfare or self-harm purposes”. This action by GMP follows a “damning” report by Dame Vera Baird KC, which investigated the force’s custody procedures. Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods stated that “significant progress” had been achieved in addressing the report’s recommendations, describing the document as a “disturbing read which highlighted some troubling truths”. Kate Green, the deputy mayor for the region, characterized the cessation of most strip searches as a “crucially important” measure. Custody personnel have received instructions that “strip searches for welfare or self-harm purposes that are carried out in response to an arrestee refusing to answer risk assessment questions at the custody desk should […] stop immediately”. While strip searches have not been completely prohibited, the force has revised the methodology for their execution subsequent to Dame Vera’s independent investigation. New police guidance stipulates that detainees should initially be requested to disclose any hidden items, with strip searches being considered “a last resort”, and all instances of their use must be documented. Dame Vera heard testimony from one woman who reported feeling “degraded” by officers during a strip search in 2021, and other individuals recounted experiences of being “demeaned” and “humiliated” while in custody. The inquiry, spearheaded by the former victims’ commissioner, was initiated after three women claimed they had undergone unwarranted strip searches by the force. Dame Vera’s review, primarily concentrating on 14 complaints lodged between 2021 and 2023, revealed evidence of substandard practices concerning arrest, custody, and strip-search procedures. To address this, unannounced inspections of custody facilities will be conducted by newly appointed compliance officers, and a new team has been established to uphold the highest levels of dignity, care, and safety. Additional modifications encompass enhanced training for officers on how to interact more considerately with victims of domestic and sexual abuse, the assignment of female welfare officers to communicate with female suspects in custody, and the provision of packs containing items such as sanitary products to all female detainees. GMP has implemented 24 of the 26 recommendations presented in the report. Ms. Green commented that despite the force’s actions, “wider culture change does not happen overnight” and that behavioral adjustments “would take time”.