Dame Vera Baird report released on GMP treatment of women

The officer was arrested on Sunday July 14 after allegations of sexual touching, misconduct in public office, and "cyber-flashing".

This came only a few days before Dame Vera Baird KC, the former victims’ commissioner for England and Wales, released her review into the experiences of women and girls in custody.

Dame Vera said: "I hope that my inquiry and this report will drive change where it is, sometimes urgently, required in GMP.

"My aim is strongly to promote a way of working in the police that will justifiably engender trust across the population and particularly among women."

A custody detention officer at Bolton Police Station was arrested recently (Image: Newsquest)

The report was prompted after three separate women accused Greater Manchester Police of unjustified strip searches after being arrested.

GMP has previously denied any wrongdoing by its staff.

The alleged Bolton incident is understood to be unconnected with the allegations made by the three women.

The forced referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct following the complaint the Bolton complaint, while the officer is now on bail.

But Dame Vera’s report has still prompted wide-ranging questions about how the force treats women and girls in custody all over Greater Manchester.

Former GMP detective Maggie Oliver described the inquiry as "another damning indictment of one of the country's largest police forces".

She said: "Dame Vera Baird's explosive report reveals a shocking disregard for rights of those coming into contact with the criminal justice system.”

She added: “Many of those arrested were vulnerable women and we say that this constitutes a very serious abuse of power."

Greater Manchester Police's headquarters (Image: PA)

Dame Vera recommends that strip searching should be severely limited, properly regulated and fully recorded.

She also recommends that custody officers should be reminded of their responsibilities for the accuracy and completeness of custody records.

In recalling her strip search, a woman given the name Maria, told the inquiry: "The only reason they did what they did was to degrade me ... If I was a man, I don't think they would've done it. I was treated like a piece of meat."

Dame Vera interviewed more than 15 people who had been arrested and detained by GMP, including three women featured in a Sky News investigation.

Custody records, detention logs, crime reports, witness statements and CCTV footage were among documents and data that were trawled through.

Dame Vera has set out recommendations on domestic abuse and better custody provision especially for women.

The report states: "The inquiry's conclusion is that many of these arrests were unnecessary or unlawful.

"In cases at the lower levels of alleged criminality, the balance should favour avoiding both the risk of poor impact on arrestees and the risk to public confidence from such arrests."

Greater Manchester Police says that it has apologised, accepted the recommendations of the report and has already begun making changes.

Chief Constable Stephen Watson said: “The issues raised in Dame Vera’s report speaks to a period when our custody system was under pressure not performing to an acceptable standard.

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“It evidences poor systems, structures, and incivility, insensitivity and compounded by a lack of routine leadership, scrutiny, and individual examples of low standards, poor behaviour, insensitivity, and a lack of care in the face of vulnerability.

He added: “All cases where allegations of serious criminal conduct are made will always be taken extremely seriously and any instances of wrongdoing will be relentlessly pursued and my track record speaks for itself in exited people not fit to wear the uniform.

“We accept the recommendations in this report. We commit to implementing them fully and faithfully with a view to making lasting improvements.

“Our ability to take forward the recommendations is immensely strengthened by the substantial progress we have already made.

“We will work with others to ensure that all of the wider recommendations are fully considered and, wherever possible, will seek out opportunities for GMP to play a leading role in their practical implementation to ensure the people of GM get the best possible service.”