Child Q Teenagers ask 'could this happen to me?'

Two Metropolitan Police officers were dismissed for gross misconduct after strip-searching 15-year-old Child Q at her school in Hackney, following wrongful accusations of cannabis possession. The incident, which occurred over four years ago, sparked public protests and raised serious concerns about systemic racism within policing. A safeguarding report revealed that racism likely influenced the police's actions during the search. However, a disciplinary panel found no direct correlation between race or age and Child Q's treatment, leading to mixed reactions from the community. Local teenagers expressed feelings of fear and mistrust towards police, questioning the safety of themselves and their peers.

Commander Kevin Southworth acknowledged the damage done to the relationship with black communities and pledged to implement changes in police procedures regarding searches. The Met will ensure that searches exposing intimate body parts are authorized by an inspector and that an appropriate adult is present during such searches. This case has reignited discussions about the treatment of vulnerable youth and the necessity for reform in policing practices.