NSW Police Strip Searched Over 100 Children And 4,400 Adults In 2 Years

During the height of COVID after the last few years, new data shows that despite lockdowns and strict restrictions, NSW police have strip searched thousands of people, including kids as young as 13 years of age.

4,400 strip searches were conducted between July of 2020 and May of 2022, a period which also featured a 10 month lockdown throughout 2021.

The data was released to Redfern Legal Centre and showcased that over 100 children were among the figure searched. Indigenous Australians made up 10% of the searches despite only being 3.4% of the state's population. 18% of all children searched were Indigenous. In some areas the proportion was even worse, with 50% of the strip search subjects in Dubbo being Indigenous. The data also showcased that nothing illegal was found in 60% of the strip searches. 

Strip Searches are only meant to be used in urgent and serious situations and when a child is of concern a parent or guardian music be present, unless the search must be done immediately. 

A spokesperson from NSW Police stated to The Guardian that powers such as, "searches and move-on directions have been proven to significantly drive down crime," and they were a part of the, "various proactive strategies," used in order to achieve, “ongoing commitment to reducing crime and the fear of crime in the community."

The consistent use of strip searches across NSW has seen lots of legal scrutiny, spearheaded recently by a class action lawsuit following the alleged unlawful use of strip-search tactics at music festivals. 

The statement claimed on the 22nd of July alleged the police carried out unlawful acts such as assault and battery searches at Splendour In The Grass over a 6 year period.