A report by the Children's Commissioner reveals that Black children are eight times more likely to be strip searched than white children. Although only 6% of 10-17 year olds in the 2021 census were Black, 35% of children strip searched were of Black ethnicity, according to the report.
The number of children strip searched has more than halved in four years, from 854 in 2020 to an estimated 377 in 2024, the report states. However, some strip searches are still conducted in public view, with 26 recorded between July 2023 and June 2024, according to the report.
Almost a third (30%) of strip searches involved children who had already been strip searched at least once before, the report found. There were 46 instances of force used on children under the age of 11 during stop and search, according to the report.
I am particularly concerned about the ethnic disproportionality as to why officers say force was needed: White children are more likely to be described as having a mental health need, while for black children the reason identified is simply their size or build. We cannot accept that black children are subjected to use of force because of the way they are perceived.
Black children were almost five times as likely to be subjected to force during stop and search than white counterparts, the report says. White and Asian children were under-represented in being subject to use of force, while Black children were over-represented, according to the report.
Almost one fifth of all stop and searches resulted in a use of force, and 46% of those resulted in no further action, the report states. In London, 65.9% of stop and searches end with no further action, and 17.4% lead to an arrest, according to the report.
In 2025, Met officers carried out 149,299 searches, with 19,054 for weapons; 3,748 weapons were found, according to the report.
Our modelling revealed clear evidence of unexplained disproportionality in how stop and search powers are used across London. These data-driven insights provide a robust evidence base to support fairer, more effective policing in London, and aim to help rebuild trust between communities and law enforcement.
Research from King's College London found that Black people are up to 48 times more likely than white people to be stopped and searched in affluent areas of London. In Dulwich Village, Black people were 40 times more likely to be searched; in Hampstead Town, 38 times, the research found.
Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children's Commissioner, expressed concern about ethnic disproportionality in why officers say force was needed, noting that white children are more likely to be described as having a mental health need, while for black children the reason identified is simply their size or build. She said we cannot accept that black children are subjected to use of force because of the way they are perceived.
Dr Yijing Li, researcher at King's College London, said the modelling revealed clear evidence of unexplained disproportionality in how stop and search powers are used across London. He said these data-driven insights provide a robust evidence base to support fairer, more effective policing in London and aim to help rebuild trust between communities and law enforcement.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said stop and search is a vital policing tool that, done well, stops those intent on causing harm and takes dangerous weapons and drugs off the streets and saves lives. But when done badly and unfairly, it harms community confidence and trust. He said this major new research shows significant and unacceptable levels of disproportionality that we must act on. That is why, along with other steps to support and hold the Met to account, he is introducing a mandatory annual report of how stop and search is being used in London. The use of stop and search must be more transparent and accountable to deliver a safer and fairer London for all.