The police watchdog is to investigate the case of a woman who was strip searched after being arrested in Salford
Dannika Stewart was arrested in October 2022 and was strip searched at Pendleton Police Station on 10 October after she had days earlier reported a case of grooming to the police
She was arrested after being then accused of suspicion of blackmail and making malicious content and would remain on police bail for over a year
The IOPC have upheld Ms Stewart’s review in respect of 15 of the 60 complaints whilst determining that a reasonable and proportionate outcome had been provided to Ms Stewart for the remaining 45.
The watchdog have recommended a referral to the Reflective Practice Review Process to address eight of Ms Stewart’s complaints. This recommendation applies to one officer for all eight complaints and a second officer for two of the complaints.
They have also made the decision to begin an independent investigation into six of Ms Stewart’s complaints, including those relating to the search conducted by GMP officers at Pendleton Police Station in October 2022. This investigation is in its very early stages.
IOPC Director David Ford said: “We appreciate this has been a challenging time for Ms Stewart, involving numerous investigations and subsequent reviews. Given the serious nature of the complaints, it was necessary for us to take time to scrutinise the events, police complaint investigations and evidence, prior to reaching our decisions.
“We will now begin our independent investigation into complaints relating to the search conducted by GMP officers and will ensure Ms Stewart is kept updated throughout the process.”
The incident featured in The Baird Inquiry, an independent inquiry carried out by Dame Vera Baird KC, into the treatment of people who have been arrested and taken into police custody in Greater Manchester.
The Baird Inquiry report was published in July 2024 and said ‘based on almost nothing, GMP turned Dannika from a victim into a suspect
