Reccommendations for Strip Search Legal Safegaurds

In light of the government’s manifesto commitment to introduce new “legal safeguards around
strip-searching children,” JUSTICE held a roundtable in October 2024 attended by a range of
experts, including lawyers, psychologists, and organisation’s working in the field of youth and
racial justice. The purpose of this roundtable was to identify the most effective way to strengthen
policing standards and reduce the disproportionate and lasting impact strip searches have on
children.

The below document provides an initial overview of the core recommendations arising out of the
roundtable. Their aim is to establish a safeguarding-based approach that law enforcement bodies
can adopt when conducting strip searches on children. They primarily concern changes to PACE
Codes A, C, H and I. We recognise that for changes to the PACE Codes to be effective, non-legislative changes may also be required. We are continuing to consult with other relevant stakeholders, including representatives from the police, to develop a set of comprehensive legislative and non-legislative reforms.


Click here to read our Draft Reccomendations