FOI 28/26 Asylum Seeker Detainee's
Date: 04/02/26
Enquiry Reference: FOI 28 -26
I write in connection with regards to your Freedom of Information request. Below is your request and our response.
PACE Code C, paragraph 7.5 states that "a record shall be made...of any communications with UKVI about a detainee’s claim to be a refugee or to be seeking asylum and the resulting action taken by police."
Can you please tell me - for the years 2025 and 2024 (or just 2025 if doing both years would exceed the cost limit) the number of individuals who had such a record made about them whilst in the detention of the police force.
- a) The procedure is that custody staff will contact immigration national command and control unit for every foreign national that is arrested, their immigration status will be recorded in a remarks field on niche. The Force do not take any other action for asylum seekers other than inform immigration and they will be dealt with the same as any other detained person.
Having made enquiries within the Force above is all the information we hold.
If you are not satisfied with this response or any actions taken in dealing with your request, you have the right to request an independent internal review of your case under our review procedure. The Freedom of Information Code of Practice (see below link) states that a request for internal review should be made within 20 working days of the date on this response or 40 working days if extenuating circumstances to account for the delay can be evidenced. Public authorities are not obliged to accept internal reviews after this date.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/freedom-of-information-code-of-practice
Yours sincerely
Information Rights Decision Maker