A police force has been condemned for placing a young disabled girl in handcuffs, leg restraints and a spit hood, following an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
The 11-year-old child, who has a neurological condition similar to autism that can trigger sudden bursts of anger, was detained by Sussex police on four separate occasions in 2012.
Known only as Child H, the girl was held in police custody for a number of minor offences for a total of 60 hours, during which she was unable to see her mother or a social worker.
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"This is one of the most shocking examples of a disabled child being held in police custody, both because of her very young age and because of the length of time she was denied access to an appropriate adult," the family's solicitor Gus Silverman told The Guardian.
The girl's mother has described the ordeal as "nothing short of a nightmare" and is calling for an urgent ban on the use of spit hoods on disabled children and their detention in police cells.
"At the time her disability meant that she could behave in very challenging ways, but what she needed was patience, respect and the support of her mother," said the woman. "Instead she was locked up in a police station without me or anyone else who knew her for support."
The police watchdog has concluded that a number of officers and staff members have a case to answer for misconduct after failing to respond effectively to the needs of a vulnerable child. It also criticised the force for failing to ensure that an appropriate adult was present.
A number of recommendations were made by the IPCC, including improved training on the use of force on children and adults with mental illness.
The force's temporary deputy chief constable, Robin Smith, said Sussex Police welcomed the IPCC's scrutiny and has already adopted schemes designed to offer greater support to vulnerable people.
"As a chief officer I have a duty to protect officers and the public when we are called on for help, whether the threat comes from a child or someone who is unwell," he said.
"The application of any type of restraint is considered only when the level of resistance causes concern for the safety of the detained person, the officer and other members of the public."
