Force installs body scanner for custody searches
Longsight Police Station in England will become the first in the country to use airport-style body scanners in custody suites to reduce the need for degrading strip searches, following recommendations from a 2024 public inquiry led by Dame Vera Baird KC. The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) also plans to expand the facility with 44 new cells, improved detainee provisions, and on-site court technology to streamline hearings without transporting detainees.
Longsight Police Station in Manchester will introduce airport-style body scanners in its custody suites, marking the first such installation in England. The move follows recommendations from a 2024 public inquiry led by Dame Vera Baird KC, the former victims' commissioner for England and Wales, which criticized Greater Manchester Police (GMP) for its handling of detainees, particularly women and girls. The scanners aim to minimize degrading strip searches while maintaining security. GMP will also expand the facility with 44 additional cells, dedicated spaces for youth detainees, and provisions for neurodivergent individuals. Every cell will include CCTV and a direct phoneline. On-site court technology will allow initial hearings to be conducted without transporting detainees, improving efficiency. Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson called the upgrade a 'major milestone,' emphasizing enhanced safety for staff, detainees, and the public. The modernization aligns with GMP’s broader efforts to improve custody operations following a surge in arrests under its 'back-to-basics' policing approach.
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