We must all tackle the systemic racism that led to the abuse of Child Q | Letter
GuardianMar 28, 2022
Up to 650 children were strip-searched between 2018 and 2020 by Britain's Metropolitan Police, according to data from the Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza.
Black children were massively and disproportionately overrepresented in the statistics. While just 19% of 10-17-year-olds in London are Black, 58% of those searched fit this category. More than half of the overall group searched were Black boys.
This report is a shocking indictment of the systemic racism that led to the abuse of Child Q. Children continue to be affected by racism at all levels of society and in all institutions. The Home Office and police leaders must take action and review statutory guidance and training to protect vulnerable young people from being unscrupulously and systematically targeted by authorities.
Even the findings of this report do not conclusively show that the Met has an issue with racism, though they certainly have a problem with people who perceive racism in the force. The greater concern raised by recent revelations is that the police have a public relations problem that will obstruct their ability to "police by consent" - this is what must be addressed.