Lawmakers are urging immediate reforms to protect children in police custody after disturbing testimonies revealed widespread mistreatment. Two parliamentary reports highlight alarming accounts of strip-searches and racial bias.
Shocking stories from young detainees in England and Wales expose deep flaws in the system. Many children reported feeling humiliated and traumatized. One child described being stripped naked without consent. Another accused officers of using racial slurs during searches.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) insists detention should only happen as a last resort. They argue children should never face adult procedures. Currently, kids as young as 10 endure the same treatment as grown-ups.
The APPG outlined 10 critical recommendations. First, strip-searches must only occur in extreme cases. Second, legal support should be mandatory for every detained child. Third, detention periods must be halved from 24 to 12 hours.
Dr. Miranda Bevan, a legal expert, stressed that detained children often have special needs. Many suffer from mental health issues or past trauma. Yet, they’re left alone in cells without proper support.
Ten children shared their painful experiences with the APPG. One recalled an invasive cavity search without an adult present. Another described enduring racist abuse from officers. These stories underscore the urgent need to protect children in police custody.
Several children reported facing discrimination during searches. One boy revealed officers called him racial slurs. Another said they targeted him because of his ethnicity. Such incidents demand accountability.
Barrister Alex Carlile emphasized that kids need special care. “Children are not miniature adults,” he said. The justice system must adapt to their vulnerability.
The reports demand immediate action to protect children in police custody. Without reform, more young lives will suffer lasting harm. Lawmakers, activists, and police must work together to ensure justice.
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