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The London Metropolitan Police has recently come under increasing criticism (symbol image)
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A British schoolgirl is suing the Metropolitan Police (Met) for being strip searched.
According to an official investigation, the police suspected cannabis on the girl, but found no drugs.
Now, in addition to the police, it has also sued the school over the 2020 incident, law firm Bhatt Murphy said.
"She wants to hold both institutions accountable, including through strong commitments to ensure this never happens to another child," said attorney Chanel Dolcy.
The incident only recently became public and sparked outrage across the country.
The black girl, who is only called "Child Q" for her own protection, thanked her for her support.
"I know I'm not alone," the student said.
Experts and politicians have accused the Met of racism playing a role in the decision to strip search.
"The Metropolitan Police appear incapable of reform"
It was also criticized that the child's mother was not contacted.
In addition, the student had her period.
"Someone came to the school I was supposed to feel safe in, took me away from the people who were supposed to protect me, and stripped me naked while I was on my period," she said, according to a statement.
She doesn't know if she will "ever feel normal again".
The police had apologized to the girl and admitted that the strip search should never have taken place.
'The Metropolitan Police has seemed incapable of reform for generations and it's hard to say that that will ever change,' said lawyer Dolcy.
"Child Q's" family expects the new leadership to end institutional sexism and racism, Dolcy said.
Discriminatory and misogynist behavior by some police officers
A new chief is currently being sought for the country's main police agency after Mayor Sadiq Khan revoked police chief Cressida Dick's confidence.
The Met has recently been criticized again and again – among other things, due to the discriminatory or misogynist behavior of some police officers.
Shock sparked the murder of Sarah Everard by a police officer last year.
Among other things, indignation was caused by the fact that the police had tolerated the man in their own ranks for years, although he was said to have repeatedly attracted attention for exhibitionism and inappropriate behavior towards women.
bbr/dpa