The search took place on Thursday, 3 December 2020, when police were called to a school where staff were concerned that a 15-year-old girl smelled strongly of cannabis and may have been in possession of drugs. The child’s bag and outer clothing had already been searched by staff at the school prior to police arrival with no drugs found. Two female officers conducted a further search of the girl in the medical room at the school under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. No force was used and no drugs were located. The search was not undertaken in the presence of an appropriate adult. A Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review in relation to the search was published on Monday, 14 March. Detective Superintendent Dan Rutland of the Met’s Central East Command said: “We recognise that the findings of the safeguarding review reflect that this incident should never have happened. It is truly regrettable and on behalf of the Met Police I would like to apologise to the child concerned, her family and the wider community. “It is wholly right that the actions of officers are held to scrutiny and we welcome this review which was commissioned by the statutory partnership with the support of police. We have already reminded local officers of the appropriate policies in place around carrying out searches in schools. “We are conscious that the IOPC are still completing their independent investigation, so further comment would be inappropriate at this time.” Information was provided to the child’s family to support any complaint they wish to make against the Metropolitan Police Service and a complaint was subsequently received and was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct in May 2021 for investigation.
