Girl tried to kill herself after strip-search by Met officers, mother says

Mother says she believes racial stereotyping' was a factor in her mixed-race daughter's case

A 14-year-old girl of mixed white and black ethnicity was so traumatised after being strip-searched by Metropolitan police officers that she tried to kill herself, her mother has said.

Olivia, not her real name, was menstruating when she was handcuffed and searched in front of male officers after more than 20 hours in custody.

In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.