South Yorkshire Police defends intimate searches of suspects in custody

Intimate searches of suspects for concealed drugs and weapons have been defended by South Yorkshire Police.
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Over the last 11 years, six such searches have been conducted by the force but items were only recovered once.

Intimate searches are made of bodily orifices when police officers suspect people are hiding drugs or offensive weapons.

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Drug reform charity Release said the low success rate of such searches nationally raises serious questions about the disproportionate use of such a ‘humiliating and degrading’ use of power.

South Yorkshire Police has conducted six intimate searches of suspects in custody over the last 11 yearsSouth Yorkshire Police has conducted six intimate searches of suspects in custody over the last 11 years
South Yorkshire Police has conducted six intimate searches of suspects in custody over the last 11 years

Analysis of Home Office data shows South Yorkshire Police made six intimate searches between 2009-10, the earliest year figures are available, and 2019-20. Data was not available in one of these years.

Four were to look for drugs, but Class A substances were never found.

In the remaining two searches, one harmful article was found.

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Police forces across England and Wales made 960 such searches over the same period, finding drugs or harmful articles in 14 per cent.

Dr Laura Garius, from Release, said: “Intimate searches are the most invasive power available to police, they go beyond the removal of clothing and involve the internal examination of individuals’ bodily orifices, which is undoubtedly a humiliating and degrading experience for those subject to such searches.

“The fact that drugs are only found in roughly one out of 10 such searches, raises serious questions about the disproportionate use of a power that allows the internal search of people’s bodies for drugs.

“These recent figures are concerning and are yet another example of how our current drug policies are not only failing individuals, but causing them harm – and why we need to reform our current drug policies immediately.”

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The Independent Office for Police Conduct said the use of intimate searches helps protect the safety of both detainees and custody staff.

The Home Office said they should be carried out by a registered medical practitioner or nurse, unless a senior officer agrees this is not practicable.

South Yorkshire Police said: “Intimate searches are only made when they are deemed reasonable and necessary.

“These searches are carried out with the dignity and utmost professionalism and by a properly trained member of staff.

“These types of searches can, in some circumstances, be deemed critical in ensuring the safety of both detainees and custody staff.”