Recurring concern

Unreliable strip-search arrangements in custody

First to latest report 8 Nov 2016 — 24 May 2018

Reports that mention this concern
2
Times this concern has been raised
2
Stated actions linked to this concern
0

What this concern includes

Includes failures in custody strip-search arrangements, including availability and suitability of facilities, definitions and thresholds for clothing removal, procedural guidance, staff understanding and implementation of safeguards governing strip searches.

What is not included
  • Excludes general searches, cell searches, staff searches or prohibited-item screening where strip searching in custody is not the identified process.
  • Excludes intimate searches involving body orifices where the assertion does not also concern the strip-search process or its boundary with clothing-removal searches.
  • Excludes generic custody staffing, training, policy or facility deficiencies unless they directly impair the safe and lawful conduct of strip searches.
  • Excludes failures in recording or acting on search findings after a strip search has been reliably conducted.

Reports and published responses 2 reports

See individual reports that have raised this concern, and the actions taken in response

  1. South London

    AI-generated summary

    Rosalind Flett · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Rosalind Flett, who was detained under section 2 of the Mental Health Act and subject to enhanced observation and regular searches, used a razor blade to make a deep laceration to her neck in full view of nursing staff and died shortly thereafter. The report identified an ambiguity in search policies about whether staff could ask her to remove her bra, despite her history of concealing razor blades and previous incidents of cutting.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Ambiguity in search policies concerning clothing removal short of an intimate search

    Wider context from the report

    “The Trust’s policy on searching was made in accordance with the Mental Health Act 1983 Code of Practice. However, there appeared to be a gap between “an advanced search” which was limited to a pat down of clothing and did not allow for clothing to be removed to underwear, and an “intimate search” which deals with items concealed in a body orifice. Staff were therefore given the impression that they could not ask Ms Flett to remove her bra for searching. Since the conclusion of the inquest I have been informed that the local Trust search policy is to be amended. However, the ambiguity appears to exist in other Trust policies, and I therefore make this report in order to bring the matter to wider attention. ”

    Source location

    Rosalind Flett · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

  2. Inner West London

    AI-generated summary

    Ms Michelle Ann Lawrence · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Ms Michelle Ann Lawrence died at home on 2 May 2015 from respiratory failure after taking multiple prescription and illegal sedative drugs, following periods in police and private custody. The principal concerns included failures to identify concealed drugs, limited strip-searching and CCTV facilities, inadequate checking of custody-suite toilets, insufficient detail in risk records, and the lack of independent investigation into deaths following release from private custody providers.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Unavailability of strip-search facilities in SERCO custody

    Wider context from the report

    “(3) That facilities for strip searching appear to be virtually non-existent for those in the custody of SERCO. ”

    Source location

    Ms Michelle Ann Lawrence · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 3 · concerns

    Open source report

Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.

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Data last updated 7 September 2026