Women win strip search case (1)
01 January 1991
Women win strip search case
artdoc March=1995
The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police has agreed to pay
£20,000 in damages and expressed regret for the trauma caused to
Helen Yaffe and Madlyn Ray-Jones when his officers strip searched
them in a ladies toilet at a pub in Tufnell Park, north London.
On 9 November 1992 police officers raided the pub on a drugs
search warrant and searched 88 young people. The two women, who
are now 17, were taken to the ladies toilet and made to remove
most of their clothes in front of five other people. No drugs
were found. They were both traumatised by the experience and sued
the police Commissioner for false imprisonment, assault and
unlawful inducement to remove their clothes. The women said they
were selected for no good reason.
David Yaffe, Helen's father, said:`That dreadful hour of two
years ago still haunts Helen and Madlyn. They took these
proceedings in order to prove to themselves and to others that
young people can stand up for their rights, and win. The
Commissioner's offer vindicates their position'.
Statement, 25.11.94.
Statewatch, Vol 4 no 6, November-December 1994