End to ‘welfare’ strip-searches in Greater Manchester following major inquiry into police custody

• Police in Greater Manchester have ended ‘welfare’ strip searches of people in custody – one of the recommendations from the Dame Vera Baird Inquiry
• The Baird Inquiry, published in July, reviewed experiences of women and girls in custody and set out list of recommendations to improve services
• Deputy Mayor satisfied that 24 of the 26 recommendations for Greater Manchester Police have now been implemented, including refresher training for officers and dedicated Female Welfare Officers
• 7 of 8 recommendations for the GMCA to be fully delivered, including new independent scrutiny panel and independent custody scrutiny role

GREATER Manchester has ended the use of police strip searches for ‘welfare’ purposes, following a major inquiry commissioned by Mayor Andy Burnham.

It was one of the recommendations of the Dame Vera Baird 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 Kate Green 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, Andy Burnham, 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 Vera Baird 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, Kate Green, 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.”

Article Published: 18/11/2024 10:30 AM