Dame Vera Baird KC, the former victims’ commissioner for England and Wales, has been asked to examine the cases of three women who have accused a police force of unjustified strip-searches.
Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, said he had ordered a review of the “extremely distressing” detentions by Greater Manchester police (GMP).
One of the women, Zayna Iman, alleges that she was drugged and sexually assaulted while in custody, Sky News reported.
Burnham said he had spoken to the leadership of GMP and received assurances there would be an investigation.
He told Sky News: “People watching this programme will rightly want to know that they will be fully, properly and independently investigated, and I can give people that assurance today. The main case Sky has covered is with the watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and I will be overseeing things to ensure that everything is fully investigated.”
Burnham’s office later issued a statement saying it was in discussions with Baird and she had been asked to carry out “an independent assessment of GMP’s custody processes and care of victims”.
In a statement to Sky News, GMP said: “GMP is aware that these three individuals are unhappy with the service they received when they were arrested and detained. Their complaints have or are being investigated by the force. Though one investigation is ongoing, there is currently no evidence to suggest that any GMP employees have misconducted themselves or committed a criminal offence.
“Under the definition within the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, two of these individuals were not strip-searched. Due to concerns for their welfare, their clothing was removed and replaced with anti-rip garments. This process is subject to different legislation and guidance.”
Two of the reported incidents are alleged to have taken place between 2020 and 2022 while the force was in special measures.
In response to Sky’s report, the GMP deputy chief constable, Terry Woods, said: “I want to make it absolutely clear that we understand and share the concerns of the public regarding allegations against Greater Manchester police which were aired in a television report today.
“Miss Iman’s allegations regarding her treatment in custody in February 2021 are subject to an ongoing investigation. The force made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) which instructed a GMP-led investigation. Having reviewed the content of the television report which highlights additional concerns, I have taken the decision to make another referral to the IOPC to assure Miss Iman and the public that all of her allegations will be rigorously and independently reviewed.”
