A series of recommendations have been made on how PSNI officers should conduct strip searches of children and young people following a human rights review.
The Policing Board commissioned the review earlier this year following concerns raised by the Children's Law Centre (CLC), which found that 53 under-18s were subjected to strip searches in 2021 and 2022, with nothing found in "almost all cases".
They also found that of the 27 children searched in 2021, an appropriate adult was only present in one case.
The CLC welcomed the review, saying concerns over searches “remain unanswered”.
The review report has made recommendations for both the PSNI and Department of Justice.
They include strengthening the 'reasonable suspicion' test for searches under the Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) order.
The PSNI should also rectify the failure to routinely record appropriate adults, provide further training for custody officers, and publish annual figures on searches with reasons and outcomes, the report states.
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Policing Board chair Deirdre Toner said: “While a rare occurrence, strip searching is one of the most intrusive interactions that occur between police and a child or young person.
Ms Toner said the board would keep the issue "under review" to ensure recommendations are implemented.
A PSNI spokesperson said the force welcomed the report.
"As the report sets out, strip searching is not a power we use routinely and the decision to conduct a strip search of a young person is never taken lightly," they said.
"In January this year we made changes to the guidance for our custody staff and while there has been improvement in the process we recognise there is still work to do.
"We will continue to work closely with the Policing Board to further improve our performance in this crucial area.”
The Department of Justice was approached for comment.
