The Alliance for Police Accountability (APA) is proud to announce the release of the Policing & the Black Child Conference 2024 Report.
🕒 Estimated read time: 3 minutes
The report, derived from the discussions and insights shared at the most recent conference, sheds light on the systemic failures in policing practices that disproportionately harm Black children in London.
Serving as both a reflection and a call to action, the report urges key stakeholders, the Government, the Mayor, and the Commissioner, to take immediate action to address entrenched racial disparities, safeguard vulnerable children, and rebuild trust between communities and law enforcement through actionable, community-driven solutions.
Executive Summary of the Report:
The report details how Black children in London are disproportionately subjected to violent arrests, stop-and-search practices, and intimate searches. These interactions often occur without proper safeguards or consideration for the welfare of the child.
Racial bias and a systemic failure to follow established guidelines are pervasive, leading to trauma and a breakdown of trust within Black communities. The need for reform is urgent, as the current policing landscape continues to neglect the protection of Black children.
At the Policing the Black Child Conference, co-hosted with the University of East London (UEL) and Action for Race Equality (ARE), over 400 participants, including policymakers, community leaders, and experts, came together to discuss these issues.
Through community-led workshops and expert presentations, key recommendations were generated, including the establishment of a trauma-informed safeguarding framework, independent oversight of police interactions with children, and mandatory anti-racism training for officers.
The APA has proposed three immediate actions to address these systemic issues:
- The Creation of a London Black Child Safeguarding Board: This board will ensure that police interactions with children are trauma-informed and subject to independent oversight.
- The Development of a Community-Led Policing Charter for London: This charter would help to address racial disparities in policing and rebuild public trust in law enforcement.
- An Annual Policing the Black Child Conference: The APA calls for this conference to be made an annual event, ensuring ongoing dialogue and continued attention to these critical issues.
Join the discussion at the Next Black Child Safeguarding Roundtable:
To continue the momentum from the Policing & the Black Child Conference, the APA is hosting a follow-up Black Child Safeguarding Roundtable in April 2025. This event will bring together stakeholders to further develop a strategy for safeguarding Black children involved in the criminal justice system.
Event Details:
- 📅Date: Wednesday, 30th April 2025
- ⏲️Time: 4 PM – 5:30 PM
- 💻Platform: Online (Details to be shared upon registration)
- 📝Registration: Via please email APAInfo@protonmail.com to express your interest.
At the roundtable, participants will have the opportunity to discuss critical strategies, including:
- Advocacy for a London Black Child Safeguarding Board.
- The introduction of automatic statutory safeguarding referrals for children subjected to violent arrests or strip searches.
- Creating a Critical Incident Protocol for child arrests.
- Engaging communities to reduce harm through the Public Health Tackling Serious Violence Charter.
This roundtable is a critical step in ensuring that the recommendations from the conference and report are translated into actionable change. We encourage all individuals and organisations interested in contributing to this vital work to attend and engage in the conversation.
How to get involved:
If you or your organisation would like to participate in the Black Child Safeguarding Roundtable, please email APAInfo@protonmail.com to express your interest. Your Involvement is crucial in shaping a future where Black children are safe, supported, and protected within the criminal justice system.
Thank you to all those who continue to support this important cause. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in safeguarding Black children and advancing justice for all and we look forward to seeing you at the roundtable and continuing this crucial work together.
