Six weeks have passed since Zayna Iman made a startling revelation, claiming that she had been sexually assaulted in a Manchester police cell. However, more questions than answers have arisen in the aftermath.
Inconsistencies have emerged between the statements released by the police after the broadcast and what officers had previously stated. Moreover, crucial footage from Zayna’s time in custody remains conspicuously absent.
This saga began in July, featuring three women, including Zayna, who alleged they had been subjected to unwarranted strip searches by the police. Zayna’s accusations went further, asserting that she had been drugged and sexually assaulted while in custody in February 2021.
Exercising her right to access the footage of her time in the cell, Zayna uncovered that two hours of crucial footage were inexplicably missing. The police have offered conflicting accounts of what happened to this missing evidence.
In response to the July report, an inquiry led by Dame Vera Baird was initiated to investigate the Greater Manchester Police (GMP). Zayna’s case was subsequently referred back to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). Recently, she met with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. However, Zayna remains dissatisfied, describing the entire process as mere “lip service” and insisting on accountability for the police officers involved.
Recounting her traumatic experience, Zayna expressed the emotional toll of revisiting these memories, with flashbacks and nightmares continuing to haunt her from her time spent naked in a Pendleton police station cell. She lamented the struggle to accept her own memories and the desire for the official narrative to align with her experience.
Notably, GMP claimed that there is currently no evidence of criminality or misconduct by their officers. However, questions persist regarding the missing cell CCTV footage, with GMP’s explanations evolving over time.
Zayna’s pursuit of the missing footage spanned more than two years, during which she was not informed about its corruption. Instead, she was told that GMP had reviewed all the custody footage and found no evidence supporting her allegations.
This inconsistency has baffled Kate Green, Manchester’s Deputy Mayor in Charge of Policing, who anticipated Dame Vera’s inquiry to address the handling of footage.
The issue of police strip searches has continued to escalate. More women have come forward with their experiences, including Scarlett, who endured a humiliating strip search at the age of 14 in Greater Manchester. Scarlett’s arrest did not lead to charges, and the search, she claims, was conducted because of suspicions regarding an e-cigarette.
Scarlett’s account highlights the lack of a responsible adult present during the search, a requirement for police strip searches involving minors. Despite female officers conducting the search, the presence of a glass door raised concerns about privacy.
These stories emphasize the power dynamic in police custody and the feeling of helplessness experienced by those subjected to such searches.
Detective Chief Superintendent Mike Allen acknowledged the concerning nature of these complaints, while Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods expressed support for the IOPC and Dame Vera Baird’s investigation, emphasizing the importance of independent oversight.
The issue of strip searches without clear justification continues to grow, prompting additional cases to be presented to the inquiry. The Maggie Oliver Foundation, an abuse victims’ charity, is advocating for a wider review of the complaints system and greater independence in handling such cases to rebuild public trust.
What are our rights regarding strip searches?
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