HC Deb 17 December 1992 vol 216 cc438-9W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many strip searches have taken place in each of the London police station within the Greater London area, on juvenile detainees in each of the last three years.

Mr. Jack

The information requested is not available.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions are issued on who is allowed, when a juvenile detainee is being strip searched and such strip searches involve the anal/genital area,(a) to carry out the strip search and (b) to be present while it is taking place; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Charles Wardle

A search involving physical examination of a person's body orifices is defined by the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 as an intimate search. Additional guidance which is issued by the Department advises that a visual inspection of intimate parts of the body should be regarded as an intimate search even though physical contact may be absent.

An intimate search must be carried out by a doctor or a nurse, unless an officer of at least the rank of superintendent considers that this is not practicable. Code of practice C further prescribes that, subject to his or her wishes, an intimate search of a juvenile may take place only in the presence of an appropriate adult of the same sex.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who, under Home Office instructions, must be present when a strip search takes place of(a) a boy and (b) a girl juvenile being held in a police state; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Charles Wardle

The codes of practice issued under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 state that a strip search must take place only in the presence of persons who are of the same sex as the person being searched, and whose presence is necessary for the purpose of the search.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy as to the use of strip searches of juveniles detained in police stations and such searches taking place without their parents being present or informed that this action is to take place.

Mr. Charles Wardle

There is no specific requirement for the parents of a juvenile to be present during a strip search, although they must be notified as soon as practicable of the circumstances of his or her arrest and asked to come to the police station.