More Greater Manchester Police custody abuse claims investigated

The inquiry is investigating the treatment of women and girls who have been arrested and taken into custody

Twelve more people have come forward to speak to an inquiry into allegations women were mistreated in police custody.

Dame Vera Baird is investigating after Greater Manchester Police officers were accused of sexual abuse and unjustifiable strip-searches.

A further nine women and three men have since alleged mistreatment by GMP along with more anonymous complaints.

The findings will now not be published until 2024 as new claims are reviewed.

Former victims' commissioner, Dame Vera, who is also a lawyer, was brought in to head up the inquiry into the treatment of women and girls who have been arrested and taken into police custody after Sky News broadcast allegations of police misconduct by the three women.

One of the women claimed she was drugged and sexually assaulted during her detention in February 2021.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct said it had received two referrals from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) linked to the 38-year-old's complaints after being detained at Pendleton police station.

Sky News reported she was held for 40 hours in custody, but it was claimed three hours of CCTV footage was missing and medical records showed evidence of sexual injuries.

Deputy mayor Kate Green said Dame Vera had spoken to a further 12 people, "as well as considering reports supplied by others who have come forward anonymously".

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She said while the inquiry had retained its focus on the treatment of women and girls, "it was important to also consider any male complainants that have come forward to the Inquiry with similar experiences".

"This will also enable us to assess whether there are any differences between the treatment of women and men in police custody," she added.

Ms Green said due to the number of people who have come forward to give evidence and the time needed to review their cases, the findings were now expected to be published in February 2024.

"It is vital that the public have confidence in our custody arrangements, and that anyone who has been arrested is treated with dignity, particularly in cases of strip-searching," she said.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority said Dame Vera had held a focus group with women's organisations in the city-region, met independent custody visitors, and visited Pendleton custody suite, the custody suite in question in the Sky News broadcast.

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