STATE SANCTIONED SEXUAL ABUSE
SEND YOUR MP THE NEW WRN REPORT
CALL ON YOUR LOCAL MP TO ENSURE THE NPCC AND LOCAL FORCES WITHDRAW THIS FLAWED & DANGEROUS POLICY!
NEW! - RESPONSES FROM MPs, PCCs and CHIEF CONSTABLES
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In January we revealed that the NPCC had mandated an unlawful policy that allowed male officers to search women. That policy guidance was withdrawn on 11 January 2024.
Or was it?
Only 9 forces confirm that they are fully compliant with The Police And Criminal Evidence Act.
Read our follow up report to see if your local force still operates an unlawful policy and send it to your MP with our updated email.
SEND THIS EMAIL & REPORT TO YOUR MP
Dear [XXXXXXX],
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On 8 January 2024, Women’s Rights Network published a report “State Sanctioned Sexual Assault” revealing that at least 34 UK police forces operated an unlawful policy allowing male officers to strip search women.
The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) responded to this and subsequent political criticism by stating a ‘thorough review’ was taking place. They stated that this policy allowing male officers to strip search women was withdrawn.
At the end of January, Women’s Rights Network made Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to find out if local police forces are still operating the unlawful (and withdrawn) policy.
WRN now report that:
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18 forces are still permitting opposite-sex searches;
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9 comply with the Police And Criminal Evidence Act 1984;
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3 forces (West Mercia, Wiltshire and Merseyside) have no search policy;
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2 forces (Hampshire and North Wales) follow a College of Policing policy;
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14 had not responded by 27 March.
For more details, please find both reports here https://www.womensrights.network/wrn-police-report.
Women have been repeatedly let down by the National Police Chiefs Council and by far too many local forces. Our concerns are minimised and ignored, and now we find that local police forces have not withdrawn this unlawful and indefensible policy.
Please would you investigate this matter and reassure me that you will do everything in your power to protect women in custody by raising it with the Minister for Policing.
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This policy must be withdrawn by all forces.
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There should be absolute reassurance that a woman or girl refusing to be strip searched by a male officer while in custody will not have a hate crime or non-crime hate incident recorded against her.
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The recommendations outlined in the WRN reports must be addressed by local forces.
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The NPCC and local forces must consult with women’s groups before any policy that impacts females is implemented.
Women need to be confident that Chief Constables and local police forces will comply with the law.
Yours sincerely
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Your Name
Your Address