The findings of an "explosive" report into the experiences of women and girls arrested and taken into custody by Greater Manchester Police must drive urgent change, its author has said. Dame Vera Baird KC, the former victims' commissioner for England and Wales, carried out the review after being asked by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham. It came after reports that three women had accused Greater Manchester Police (GMP) of unjustified strip searches after being arrested.
GMP has previously denied any wrongdoing by its staff. Dame Vera, who makes recommendations for consideration both within the force and nationally, said: "I hope that my inquiry and this report will drive change where it is - sometimes urgently - required in GMP. "My aim is strongly to promote a way of working in the police that will justifiably engender trust across the population and particularly among women.
" Former GMP detective Maggie Oliver described the inquiry as "another damning indictment of one of the country's largest police forces". She said: "Dame Vera Baird's explosive report reveals a shocking disregard for rights of those coming into contact with the criminal justice system. Ms Oliver, who has since founded The Maggie Oliver Foundation - a charity supporting adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, said: "Many of those arrested were vulnerable women and we say that this constitutes a very serious abuse of power.
" Dame Vera recommends that strip searching should be severely limited, prop.