The Metropolitan Police have referred seven more cases of strip-searched children to the police watchdog 

The Metropolitan Police have referred seven more cases strip-searched children to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.According to Sky News, the Met Police stated that they have changed in the way officers work and that the referrals were voluntary.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said in a statement: "We understand the trauma and lasting impact these types of searches can have on people, especially young people, and understand the public's concerns following several cases."The Deputy added that the police force are reviewing the under-18 strip search complaints they have received over the last three years.

According to the Met, the seven cases are separate incidents that occurred from 2019 to 2022, which does not include another three cases that were also referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Explaining that strip searches must be carried out appropriately, Mr Taylor went on to say: "Strip searches in custody and searches that expose more intimate parts outside of custody are important in ensuring the safety of the person being searched as well as protecting communities from drugs and weapons."But they must, of course, be carried out appropriately and in line with our policy."Earlier this year, there was huge uproar after a black school girl, 15, who was on her period, was strip-searched by Scotland Yard.

The Metropolitan Police officers also searched the student, who was known as Child Q, without any other adult being present.After the incident, Child Q's lawyer later stated: "The Metropolitan Police has seemed incapable of reform for generations, and it is difficult to say that will ever change."Nevertheless, this is a pivotal time for the Metropolitan Police as it awaits the appointment of a new commissioner. "Child Q's family are calling on the home secretary and mayor of London to ensure that only someone willing to declare publicly the persistence of institutional racism and institutional sexism in the Met Police is appointed as the new Met commissioner."