Britain's police complaints watchdog has called on Wednesday for urgent measures to stop the "adultification" of Black children and young people during interactions with officers, including in cases of stop and search and use of force.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said in a report that "adultification" was a form of bias where children from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities were perceived as being more grown up, less innocent and less vulnerable than other children.
Britain's police complaints watchdog has called on Wednesday for urgent measures to stop the "adultification" of Black children and young people during interactions with officers, including in cases of stop and search and use of force.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said in a report that "adultification" was a form of bias where children from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities were perceived as being more grown up, less innocent and less vulnerable than other children.
IOPC Director General Rachel Watson said the police had improved the way it handles racial discrimination, but "a lot more needs to be done".
"Too often Black communities feel over-policed as suspects and under-protected," Watson said.
The report highlighted how the police must investigate discrimination allegations properly to ensure they are effectively handled the first time so people can have confidence in the police complaints system.
Around 66% of young Black people said they would call the police if in danger compared with 87% of white children and teenagers, research from crime and justice consultancy Crest Advisory showed.