Child Q protest: All you need to know about demonstration at Stoke Newington police station

Campaigners are meeting at Stoke Newington police station, to protest the strip search of black schoolgirl, 15, by police officers. The impact on the girl, known as Child Q, has been described as “profound and ongoing”.
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Demonstrators are gathering outside Stoke Newington police station to protest the strip search of a black 15-year-old girl by Met Police officers in her school.

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The impact on the girl, known as Child Q was “profound and ongoing”.

Her mother told how she was often found “screaming in her sleep” and her aunt said her niece was “a shell of the bubbly child she once was”.

Child Q said she didn’t know if she would ever feel normal again.

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Now protestors are taking to the streets calling for this never to happen again.

The Child Q protest at Stoke Newington police station. Credit: LWThe Child Q protest at Stoke Newington police station. Credit: LW
The Child Q protest at Stoke Newington police station. Credit: LW

When is the protest happening?

The demonstration, organised by activist group Hackney Cop Watch, is taking place today (Friday, March 18).

People are gathering from 4pm.

It’s being supported by other groups, including Sisters Uncut.

Stoke Newington Police Station. Credit: LWStoke Newington Police Station. Credit: LW
Stoke Newington Police Station. Credit: LW

Where is it held?

The protest is being held outside Stoke Newington Police Station, in Hackney.

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Located on Stoke Newington High Street, the station’s postcode is N16 8DS.

The station is located between Dalston Kingsland, Stoke Newington and Rectory Road tube stations.

Child Q protesters at Stoke Newington Police Station. Credit: LWChild Q protesters at Stoke Newington Police Station. Credit: LW
Child Q protesters at Stoke Newington Police Station. Credit: LW

What else is being done?

Police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) have confirmed they are investigating the case.

Three officers have been served with notices confirming they are under investigation for misconduct.

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The IOPC says it has completed its investigation and is now finalising its report on its findings.

Once this is complete, the Met Police will have a chance to express its view.

The investigation could lead to a disciplinary hearing for the officers involved if the Met agrees with the IOPC.

The IOPC can also direct the Met to hold a disciplinary panel if it thinks the case is serious enough.

Labour MP Diane Abbott. Photo: GettyLabour MP Diane Abbott. Photo: Getty
Labour MP Diane Abbott. Photo: Getty

Who else has spoken up?

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The case of Child Q has also generated outrage among politicians.

She has demanded an urgent meeting on the strip search, calling it “entirely inappropriate… degrading, humiliating and traumatic”.

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While other black female MPs including Florence Eshalomi, Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Dawn Butler have issued a statement on their “shock and indignation”.

They said: “As black women, this story is particularly because the sad reality is that this could have been any of us in our youth.”

They have called for the next Met Police commissioner to “urgently restore the principle of policing with consent”.

What have the Met Police said?

Det Supt Dan Rutland of the Met’s Central East Command said: “We recognise that the findings of the safeguarding review reflect that this incident should never have happened. It is truly regrettable and on behalf of the Met Police I would like to apologise to the child concerned, her family and the wider community.

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“It is wholly right that the actions of officers are held to scrutiny and we welcome this review which was commissioned by the statutory partnership with the support of police.

“We have already reminded local officers of the appropriate policies in place around carrying out searches in schools.

“We are conscious that the IOPC are still completing their independent investigation, so further comment would be inappropriate at this time.”

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