A response from Dyfed-Powys Police following the publication of the Childrens Commissioners report into strip searches of children

A response from Dyfed-Powys Police following the publication of the Childrens Commissioners report into searches of children:

We can confirm the number of strip searches carried out by Dyfed-Powys Police officers on children between January 2018 and July 2023 was seven.

Considering the smaller timeframe focussed on in the Children’s Commissioner’s report – June 2022 to July 2023 – the number of strip searches carried out on children in our force area was just one.

These figures refer to instances where the search involved more than the removal of outer clothing such as coats, shoes and gloves, but does not mean the child was stripped fully.

An incorrect figure was supplied to the Children’s Commissioner by Dyfed-Powys Police due to an internal error and was published within the report. We regret this mistake being made, and the concern it will have caused our communities to see such a high figure linked to our force.

A review of the process is being carried out to ensure this does not happen again.

Assistant Chief Constable Gary Phillips said: “Dyfed-Powys Police is committed to keeping the communities it serves safe, and can confirm that during the period June 2022 to July 2023, our officers had cause to carry out strip searches on one child.

“Any search conducted of an adult or child must be undertaken only when an officer has reasonable grounds to do so, for example when the individual is believed to be concealing drugs, a weapon or a stolen property.

“Strip searches of children as mentioned in the Commissioners report are very carefully considered and would only be carried out in a custody setting with full consideration of the legal requirements which act to protect the privacy and dignity of the individual being searched.

“We carefully scrutinise every stop and search made by our officers along with independent members of our community.

“We will continue to work together with our communities to ensure that each encounter is carried out with respect and courtesy, based on fully explained reasons and that we are transparent in our approach.”