Study Reveals Racial Disparities in Police Strip Searches in England and Wales

Black individuals, especially children, are significantly more likely to be subjected to strip searches by police, highlighting concerns of institutional racism.

• Black children are 6.5 times more likely to be strip-searched than white children, according to Runnymede Trust research.
• Black adults are 4.7 times more likely to undergo strip searches compared to white adults.
• Sussex Police are reported to strip-search Black individuals 18 times more often than white individuals.
• The Metropolitan Police conducted nearly a third of all strip searches in England and Wales, with Black children disproportionately affected.
• Calls for reform include requiring senior officer approval for strip searches of minors and addressing racial disparities in policing practices.

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