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Women win strip search case

01 November 1994

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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.

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