Greater Manchester has ended the use of police strip searches for
‘welfare' purposes, following a major inquiry commissioned by
Mayor Andy .
It was one of the recommendations of the Dame Inquiry, an independent review
into the experiences of women and girls in police custody in
Greater Manchester.
Now, an assessment from the Deputy Mayor on progress since the
Inquiry's publication in July has found that 24 of the 26
recommendations made to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) –
including the end of ‘welfare' strip searches – have been
implemented, and seven of the eight recommendations put to the
Greater Manchester Combined Authority will be delivered by
December.
Recommendations to the GMCA included the establishment of an
Independent Scrutiny Panel to look at arrests and custody
records, and appointing a new Super Independent Custody Visitor
to make unannounced visits to custody suites.
In 2023 the Mayor and Deputy Mayor commissioned the former Victims'
Commissioner for England and Wales to carry out an independent
review into the experiences of people arrested and taken into
custody across Greater Manchester, with a focus on women and
girls.
It followed reports in the media, including from Sky News, of
accounts from three women in Greater Manchester. The report took
evidence from 14 complainants, including three men, who spoke
about their experiences between 2021 and 2023.
Mayor of Greater Manchester said: “This is a
landmark moment in our quest to improve the safety and treatment
of women across Greater Manchester.
“Last year we commissioned Dame to carry out a full and
independent review that would shine a spotlight on experiences in
police custody, and give a voice to those who were failed by
problematic cultures and practices.
“The distressing findings of that report were a clarion call for
urgent action. Today we can confirm that Greater Manchester is
answering that call.
“In July, both the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and
Greater Manchester Police committed to implement fully and
faithfully the recommendations set out in Dame Vera's inquiry.
“Back then I called on GMP to bring an end to strip-searching for
so-called welfare purposes within six months. Four months on,
this practice has ended, and there is now a presumption against
strip searches for concealment.
“Dame Vera's report recommended that we create a new independent
custody visitor role with responsibility for unannounced visits
to custody suites. We have now recruited to a role that will give
us the capacity to carry out comprehensive checks in all custody
suites to ensure GMP are meeting the standards expected of them.
“We pay tribute again to Dame Vera for the comprehensive and
unflinching work that she carried out, and we thank all of those
who came forward and gave evidence to her Inquiry.
“It is clear that there is still progress to be made. The Deputy
Mayor and I will continue to hold up a mirror to unacceptable
practices wherever we find them, and work with the Chief
Constable and his team to ensure that improvements are delivered
and sustained.”
Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger Communities said: “I have carefully
and thoroughly considered the progress made since Dame Vera's
report was published earlier this year, and I am pleased to say
that both GMP and the GMCA are delivering on her recommendations.
“This includes the crucially important end to the authorisation
of strip searches for welfare purposes, and where strip search is
needed for concealment, it will be a last resort.
“GMP now have more dedicated provision to meet the needs of
people taken into custody, including significantly increased
staffing levels within custody suites, a dedicated Female Welfare
Officer role, new support links for victims and survivors of
domestic and sexual abuse, and the automatic provision in cells
of dignity packs and sanitary products. This has involved
significant financial investment of £3.1 million.
“They have also undertaken comprehensive reviews of their
training offers, the use of voluntary attendance, and refreshed
training for custody officers.
“We are building the foundations of lasting change to cultures
and practices that, sadly, have fallen well short of what people
should rightly expect.
“The establishment of an independent scrutiny panel that will
hold its first meeting next month, reporting to me, will be a
vital component in a more robust system of checks and balances in
this less publicly visible area of policing.
“While the implementation of these recommendations to date is
welcome, it is essential that the improvements brought about are
maintained and indeed built upon, and on behalf of the Mayor I
will continue to scrutinise GMP as it makes progress in these
areas.”
“I join the Mayor in thanking Dame Vera and those who lent their
voices to her report. We have heard them, and we are resolutely
committed to ensuring that our police force continues on its
improvement journey.”
