ANDY BURNHAM has asked former victims’ commissioner Vera Baird to look at the cases of three women who have accused Greater Manchester Police of subjecting them to unjustified strip-searches.

Speaking to Sky News on a programme examining the allegations, the Greater Manchester mayor described the cases, one of which involves a woman who claimed that she was drugged and sexually assaulted during her detention, as “extremely distressing.”

Mr Burnham said: “People watching this programme will rightly want to know that they will be fully, properly and independently investigated and I can give people that assurance today.”

He said he has spoken to the leadership of Greater Manchester Police and received assurances that such an investigation would take place.

The main case featured in the Sky programme is being looked at by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, Mr Burnham, said, promising that he will be “overseeing things to ensure that everything is fully investigated.”

Greater Manchester Police said that it was “aware that these three individuals are unhappy with the service they received when they were arrested and detained” and that their complaints “have or are being investigated by the force.”

According to the force, there is currently no evidence to suggest the any misconduct or criminal offence has been committed.