IOPC calls for review of police strip search powers following Child Q investigation
Factual summary of a published IOPC investigation, covering the incident, key findings and outcome.
- Published
- 2023-09-14
- Investigation type
- independent
- Force involved
- Metropolitan Police Service
What was investigated
The investigation focused on the strip search of a 15-year-old girl, referred to as Child Q, by officers of the Metropolitan Police Service, at a school in Hackney, London. It examined the appropriateness of the grounds for the search and the conduct of the officers involved, specifically looking into potential discrimination and procedural compliance.
Key findings
- Four MPS officers will face disciplinary proceedings for their actions during the incident.
- Three officers should attend a gross misconduct hearing.
- A fourth officer will face a disciplinary meeting.
- The decision to undertake the search was found to be inappropriate.
- There was no consultation with a supervisor before the search.
- An appropriate adult was not present during the search.
- Child Q may have been discriminated against because of her race and sex.
- No drugs were found during the search.
Outcome
The investigation resulted in identified breaches of the police standards requiring disciplinary action against four officers. Further recommendations have been made for policy and training improvements regarding searches involving minors.
Related on BlueLineHub
- Accountability hub — how oversight of UK policing works
- IOPC outcomes & learning feed
- Metropolitan Police Service force profile
This is a factual summary of a report published by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Individuals are referred to exactly as the source report anonymises them. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the IOPC · Summarised 2026-07-13.