First reported 25 Aug 2023•Latest report 4 Mar 2025
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes police or custody processes specifically concerning suspected swallowing or packing of drugs by detainees, including recognition, medical assessment or conveyance, guidance on forced mouth searches, release safety-netting, continued monitoring and escalation arrangements.
Not included
Excludes generic drug possession, supply, intoxication or withdrawal concerns where suspected swallowing or packing of drugs is not the material safety condition.
Excludes ordinary custody observation, detention, release or medical-referral failures that are not specifically connected to suspected drug swallowing by a detainee.
Excludes clinical treatment after a detainee has been safely assessed and transferred to appropriate medical care.
Excludes general police training, communication or policy deficiencies unless they directly impair the response to suspected drug swallowing.
Excludes swallowing or ingestion of non-drug foreign bodies outside police or custody settings.
Reports
3
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
5
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2023–2025
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
9
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
College of Policing2
Derbyshire Constabulary1
HM Inspectorate of Prisons1
HM Prison and Probation Service1
Ministry of Justice1
National Police Chiefs’ Council1
Thameside Prison1
National policing body2
Executive agency1
Justice inspectorate1
Ministerial department1
Police force1
Prison or young offender institution1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Liverpool and the Wirral
Concerns raised2
Lack of guidance, training and an urgent medical response pathway for non-arrested detainees suspected of swallowing drugs
Lack of guidance for providing continued-monitoring advice on release of detainees suspected of swallowing drugs
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.4
Action
Provide publicly available APP guidance requiring urgent hospital treatment, coordinated risk assessment and information sharing for suspected swallowed drugs.
Stated by College of PolicingStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 7 March 2025.
Action
Review the Regulation 28 document to identify appropriate responses to incidents involving suspected drug ingestion.
Stated by National Police Chiefs’ CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 7 March 2025.
Action
Work with national policing portfolios and stakeholders to provide refreshed training and guidance on available policing powers.
Stated by National Police Chiefs’ CouncilStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 7 March 2025.
Action
Work across relevant portfolios to establish appropriate aftercare and safeguarding following stop and search, supporting a consistent approach.
Stated by National Police Chiefs’ CouncilStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 7 March 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.4
Position
Existing Authorised Professional Practice guidance is considered sufficient to address concerns about urgent medical attention and guidance for suspected swallowed-drug cases.
Stated by College of PolicingExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Police currently lack power to convey a person detained under these provisions to hospital against their wishes.
Stated by National Police Chiefs’ CouncilUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
Police may disclose necessary private information to family or next of kin to protect vital interests and prevent serious harm.
Stated by National Police Chiefs’ CouncilDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
Existing national training covers proportionate information disclosure in suspected drug ingestion cases, including the minimum necessary information principle.
Stated by National Police Chiefs’ CouncilExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Derby and Derbyshire
Concerns raised2
Lack of police officer awareness of the risks and safety principles of manually removing drugs from a person's mouth
Lack of standard guidance or training for police officers responding to concealment of drugs in the mouth
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.4
Action
Revise the Personal Safety Manual, including guidance on drugs or other articles concealed in the mouth and associated risks.
Stated by College of PolicingStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 1 November 2024.
Action
Add guidance on communicating the life-threatening risks of swallowing drugs to future Personal Safety Manual and curriculum versions.
Stated by College of PolicingStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 1 November 2024.
Action
Design and implement a lesson plan covering concealment of items in a subject’s mouth for Derbyshire Constabulary training.
Stated by Derbyshire ConstabularyStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 1 November 2024.
Action
Mandate delivery of at least one mouth-concealment scenario during initial and refresher safety training.
Stated by Derbyshire ConstabularyStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 1 November 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Existing training curricula allow relevant guidance and risk mitigation where local needs analysis identifies drug concealment as a risk.
Stated by College of PolicingExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Inner South London
Concerns raised1
Absence of written guidance for suspected drug swallow assessment, referral and monitoring
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Disseminate the inquest and report learning to prison senior management, advising relocation to healthcare where suspected swallowing lacks a positive scan.
Stated by Thameside PrisonStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 28 July 2023.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Issues beyond the inspection process fall outside the inspectorate’s remit, which is distinct from the prison service’s role.
Stated by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMI PrisonsOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
Existing SCSS and national policy provide written guidance for body scanning, suspected swallowing, refusal, monitoring and healthcare involvement.
Stated by Thameside PrisonExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
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Includes police or custody processes specifically concerning suspected swallowing or packing of drugs by detainees, including recognition, medical assessment or conveyance, guidance on forced mouth searches, release safety-netting, continued monitoring and escalation arrangements.
