Police search babies for weapons and drugs

Three babies were searched for weapons and drugs by police, new figures disclose.
The Telegraph
Sep. 02, 2009

A Freedom of Information request found that a one-year-old and two babies ''0 years of age'' were stopped and searched by Norfolk Constabulary this year.

Police said that since 2007, 32 children aged nine and younger were searched by officers in the county.

A Norfolk police spokesman said: ''A typical call about a group of children and young people dealing drugs could involve searching everyone in the group.

''Furthermore, a child could be given drugs or weapons to stash, either willingly or unwillingly, even concealing such items in push chairs or prams.''

Since 2007, most of those searched were aged nine, but five babies not yet a year old were searched by officers. Two one-year-olds and three two-year-olds have also been subject to scrutiny by police.

In the past two years a total 6,113 children under the age of 17 have been stopped and searched in Norfolk.