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IOPC investigation into complaint that 15-year-old girl was inappropriately strip searched

Factual summary of a published IOPC investigation, covering the incident, key findings and outcome.

All IOPC reports
Published
2022-03-16
Investigation type
independent
Force involved
Metropolitan Police Service

What was investigated

All lines of enquiry have been completed for the Independent Office for Police Conduct’s (IOPC) investigation into a complaint that a 15-year-old girl was inappropriately strip searched in December 2020 by two Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers. The investigation examined whether legislation, policies and procedures were followed during the strip search and whether the girl’s ethnicity played a part in the officers’ decision to strip search her.

Key findings

  • Three constables were under investigation for misconduct over their roles in the strip search.
  • The mother of the girl was not present during the strip search.
  • No appropriate adult was present during the strip search.
  • The ethnicity of the girl was considered in the investigation.
  • The investigation followed a voluntary referral from the MPS.
  • The investigation was close to finalisation at the time of the report.

Outcome

All lines of inquiry have been completed and the report is being finalised.

Read the full report on policeconduct.gov.uk

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Reviewed by the BlueLineHub Editorial Team
Last reviewed: 13 July 2026 · Next review due: 13 January 2027

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.