Police Custody Information

Our research on the care of vegans in Police Constabularies began in February 2003 after it was increasingly brought to our attention there was a limited knowledge of how to care for vegans while detained in police custody. Our aim is to provide sufficient information to all Police Constabularies in order for them to ensure adequate provisions are in place for any vegans detained in their care.

To this end VPSG contacted every constabulary in the country in order to obtain an overall picture of guidelines in place regarding vegans held in custody. The replies received were very varied, but the majority of police forces appeared keen to improve the situation.

In order to bring our records up to date we provided a new questionnaire to each constabulary in January 2007. The information we requested was whether their custody suites -

are able to provide ambient meals suitable for vegans when required
are able to prepare/cook vegan meals on site when required
are authorised to purchase food/drink suitable for vegans when required
are able to provide soya milk
are able to provide vegan toiletries if required

The information on the returned questionnaires is contained in the following section. This information is invaluable in assisting anyone to ensue equal opportunities are provided to vegans detained in police custody suites. Italicized comments are summaries of additional information provided by constabularies. Constabularies wishing to correct/update information shown below should contact the Police Project Co-ordinator via info@vpsg.info

Avon and Somerset

18/07/07 — all custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [1], none prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, awaiting further research re suitability of issue toiletries.

Bedfordshire

07/02/07 — some custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals and/or local hospital can cook and provide on request, none prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries are not suitable for vegans.

Cambridgeshire

10/08/07 — some custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [1], some can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries not suitable for vegans.

Channel Islands Guernsey

11/07/07 — custody suites cannot provide ambient vegan meals, vegan meals not prepared/cooked on-site, can purchase from local stores, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries not suitable for vegans. Suitable items will be purchased from local health shops when required.

Cheshire

14/02/07 — some custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [1], none prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries except soap suitable for vegans [3]. Contract provides for all catering/welfare issues, items not stocked will be purchased, food will be accepted for vegans detained.

City of London

31/01/07 — station canteens can provide vegan meals when open, custody suites cannot prepare/cook vegan meals, some can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries not suitable for vegans. Meet needs of vegans detained as far as possible.

Cleveland

02/10/07 — custody suites cannot provide ambient vegan meals, none prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries not suitable for vegans. Where identified individuals' needs accommodated.

Cumbria

18/07/07 — all custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [3], none prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, awaiting further research re suitability of toiletries. Give full consideration to meeting needs of vegans detained, food etc will be accepted from family/friends.

Derbyshire

02/02/07 — all custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [1], all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries are not suitable for vegans. Every effort is made to meet the needs of vegans detained in custody.

Devon and Cornwall

12/07/07 — some custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [1], none prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries not suitable for vegans.

Dorset

18/07/07 — some custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [1], some can prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries not suitable for vegans. Always try to meet needs of vegans detained.

Dumfries & Galloway

31/01/07 — custody suites cannot provide vegan ambient meals, none prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, awaiting further research re suitability of issue toiletries. Take all steps to meet needs of vegans detained.

Durham

31/01/07 — all custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [1], none prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, none purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries are not suitable for vegans.

Dyfed-Powys

01/02/07 — all custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [1], none prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries are not suitable for vegans. Will make every effort to meet needs of vegans detained in custody.

Essex

12/07/07 — all custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [1], none prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, none can purchase from local stores, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries not suitable for vegans.

Fife

13/07/07 — all custody suites can provide vegan meals via contract with local hospital experienced in meeting special dietary requirements [3], none prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores, soya milk not stocked, awaiting further research re suitability of toiletries.

Gloucestershire

10/07/07 — some custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [1], none prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries not suitable for vegans. Make every effort to meet needs of vegans detained.

Grampian

08/03/07 — vegan food purchased from local health shop when required, can be prepared/cooked on-site, all custody suites can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries not suitable for vegans.

Greater Manchester Police

- no reply

Gwent

21/07/07 — all custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [1], all can prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, awaiting further research re suitability of issue toiletries.

Hampshire

30/01/07 — all custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [3], all can prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, cannot purchase from local stores, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries are not suitable for vegans.

Hertfordshire

24/07/07 — all custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [1], none prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries are suitable for vegans [2].

Humberside

05/02/07 — all custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [1], all can prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, awaiting further research re suitability of issue toiletries.

Isle of Man

09/07/07 — custody suites cannot provide vegan meals, none prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, issue toiletries not suitable for vegans.

Kent

24/02/07 — custody suites cannot provide ambient vegan meals, some can prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries are not suitable for vegans.

Lancashire

24/07/07 — custody suites cannot provide ambient vegan meals, some can prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries not suitable for vegans.

Leicestershire

29/03/07 — do not have the information requested, in the longer term hope to be able to advise.

Lincolnshire

12/02/07 — some custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [1], all can prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, awaiting further research re suitability of toiletries.

Lothian and Borders

01/02/07 — all custody suites purchase vegan meals when required, none prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries are not suitable for vegans.

Merseyside

14/08/07 — custody suites cannot provide ambient vegan meals, none prepare/cook vegan meals on site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries not suitable for vegans. Respect individuals’ needs and purchase appropriate items when required.

Metropolitan Police Service

21/03/07 — all custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [1], all can prepare/cook vegan meals on-site when catering units open, no specific policy re local purchase but boroughs may have local practices, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries are identified as vegan-friendly by supplier [3].

Norfolk

- no reply

North Wales

14/02/07 — custody suites cannot provide ambient vegan meals, none prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries not suitable for vegans.

North Yorkshire

02/08/07 — all custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [3], all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, awaiting further research re suitability of issue toiletries.

Northamptonshire

02/02/07 — all custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [1], none prepare/cook vegan meals on—site, cannot purchase from local store when required, soya milk not stocked, awaiting further research re suitability of issue toiletries.

Northern Ireland

02/08/07 — canteens prepare vegan meals during 9am-5pm period, will purchase suitable meals from local stores when canteens closed, consideration to purchasing vegan toiletries will be given when required. Views of detainees are sought, where appropriate vegan meals/items will be offered, will accept food/items from family/friends subject to security and custody/officer discretion.

Northumbria

05/02/07 — all custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [1], none prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries are not suitable for vegans..

Nottingham

- no reply

South Wales

26/02/07 — some custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [3], none prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, some can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries not suitable for vegans.

South Yorkshire

01/02/07 — all custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [1], none prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries not suitable for vegans. Needs of detained vegans addressed at time of detention.

Staffordshire

06/07/07 — all custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [3], none prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries are not suitable for vegans.

Strathclyde

31/07/07 — all custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [3], all can prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, awaiting further research re suitability of issue toiletries. Appropriate items will be purchased as requested/required.

Suffolk

Surrey

19/02/07 — all custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [1], none prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries are suitable for vegans [2].

Sussex

25/07/07 — all custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [1], none prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries are suitable for vegans [2].

Tayside Police

11/07/07 — all custody suites provide Unilever Pot Noodles (some flavours are suitable for vegans), none prepare vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, some stock soya milk, issue toiletries not suitable for vegans.

Thames Valley

01/02/07 — all custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [1], none prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, none can purchase from local stores when required, further research required re suitability of toiletries.

Warwickshire

- no reply

West Mercia

22/08/07 — all custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [1], all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk available, issue toiletries not suitable for vegans.

West Midlands

12/02/07 — unable to advise if ambient vegan meals can be provided, all can prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries are not suitable for vegans.

West Yorkshire

- no reply

Wiltshire

13/07/07 — all custody suites can provide ambient vegan meals [1], none prepare/cook vegan meals on-site, all can purchase from local stores when required, soya milk not stocked, issue toiletries are suitable for vegans [2]

[1] Our research shows the following suppliers' ambient meals are suitable for vegans:

Bunzl - Vegetable Chilli
Bunzl - Pilau Rice
Westler - Vegetable Chilli
Westler - Pilau Rice
Westler - Beans and Potato Wedges

[2] Our research shows the following supplier's toiletries are suitable for vegans:

WA Products (UK) Ltd

[3] Meals/products have not been researched by VPSG.

Disclaimer: the information above is taken from questionnaires on the care of vegans detained in police custody returned to VPSG. The information on this page is intended for guidance only, VPSG cannot take responsibility for the accuracy thereof, meal/product specifications can change without notice.

Details correct as of 04/12/07