The Met has handed out a record number of vegan meals to prisoners after arresting more than 1,100 Extinction Rebellion activists this week, MailOnline can reveal today.

Scotland Yard has had pallets of meat-free dishes and dairy-free drinks delivered to its police stations amid an influx of detainees following eco-protests across London.

Members of Extinction Rebellion have brought the capital to a standstill this week, with protesters targeting the BBC's main office on a fifth consecutive day of action.

Vegan activists that are currently being detained in police cells throughout London will be given the option of a vegetarian chilli for their evening meal tonight.

Inspector Brian Smith of Brixton station revealed the force had ordered in extra vegan portions after activists moaned about a lack of meat-free options in April.

Inspector Brian Smith of Brixton police station poses with a selection of vegan and vegetarian portions for detainees inside the station's cells

Vegan activists that are currently being detained in police cells throughout London will be given the option of a vegetarian chilli tonight (pictured are arrests carried out at London City Airport on Thursday)

Staff at Brixton police station were sent a thank you note and flowers by one Extinction Rebellion detainee following their release

An Extinction Rebellion environmental activist pretends to drink oil outside the 6th Government Oil and Gas Fiscal Summit at the Andaz London Hotel this evening

During the similarly-widespread protests, detainees also complained about a shortage of alternatives to cow's milk, such as soya and almond milk.

In a video posted to social media, Inspector Smith said: 'Well everyone knows we ran a bit low last time so this time we've got plenty.

'In fact yesterday a pallet load of vegan food was delivered so we've got plenty for everyone.'

A Metropolitan Police source told the MailOnline: 'Record numbers of vegan meals are being used in our cells'.

An Extinction Rebellion environmental activist is arrested outside the 6th Government Oil and Gas Fiscal Summit at the Andaz London Hotel today

Extinction Rebellion environmental activists create a blockade outside the 6th Government Oil and Gas Fiscal Summit at the Andaz London Hotel on October 11

Extinction Rebellion environmental activists block the side entrance of the 6th Government Oil and Gas Fiscal Summit at the Andaz London Hotel on Friday

Extinction Rebellion environmental activists create a blockade outside the 6th Government Oil and Gas Fiscal Summit at the Andaz London Hotel on Friday

Options for non vegan or vegetarian prisoners currently include chicken tikka, chicken korma and spicy chicken with rice.

It comes after staff at Brixton police station were sent a thank you note and flowers by one Extinction Rebellion detainee following their release.

The note read: 'To all the kind souls at Brixton police station, for all you have done with decency and professionalism.'

Met Police chief Cressida Dick today revealed that the force has been 'stretched' by Extinction Rebellion protests, impeding its ability to respond to other crimes.

Protesters climbed onto the canopy of the BBC'S New Broadcasting House during their protest in London this morning

Police carry away a climate activist at a protest action at the BBC offices during the fifth day of demonstrations this morning

A flag placed on the statue of George Orwell outside the BBC New Broadcasting House in London this morning

At the end of a week of demonstrations, the force was also dealing with the fatal stabbings of two teenagers in the city within a matter of hours.

Dame Cressida said she hoped the protesters would choose to 'protest lawfully' or 'go home' after their 'failure to take and occupy the streets that they wanted to'.

Activists blocked the entrance to the BBC's central London headquarters on Friday, with some scaling the front of the building.

BBC staff members reported being unable to get in to New Broadcasting House on Friday morning as dozens of protesters camped outside the main entrance.

On Thursday, demonstrations focused on London City Airport, where protesters attempted a 'Hong Kong-style occupation' of the terminal building.

One demonstrator, Paralympic cyclist James Brown, climbed on top of a British Airways jet, prompting criticism from Dame Cressida.

On the same day as the airport protests, a boy aged 15 was stabbed to death in east London, and a man aged 18 also died after suffering stab wounds in south London.

'It takes its toll on my officers too,' Dame Cressida said of the mass demonstrations.

Police officers arrest a protester during the Extinction Rebellion demonstration outside the BBC offices in London today

Extinction Rebellion protesters found a new target this morning when they picketed the BBC's New Broadcasting House HQ

Police officers stand next to protesters as they block the entrance of the BBC offices in London this morning

Is Extinction Rebellion protest endangered? Police re-open streets around Trafalgar Square after Met chief Cressida Dick boasts of protesters' 'failure to take and occupy the streets they wanted'

By Shekhar Bhatia and Mark Duell for MailOnline

Police have finally managed to clear roads around Trafalgar Square and allow traffic back in for the first time since the Extinction Rebellion demonstrations began.

Taxis and cars were allowed along Whitehall and into Trafalgar Square for the first time since the climate activists took hold of the area in Westminster on Monday.

The breakthrough secures a minor victory for overstretched Scotland Yard officers who still have to clear hundreds of demonstrators from the east side of the square.

The activists remain seated in the road, meaning only half of Trafalgar Square is open to traffic. They have said they want to be arrested and will not move willingly.

Taxis and cars are allowed along Whitehall and into Trafalgar Square again this afternoon

Extinction Rebellion protesters are still gathering at Trafalgar Square in London this afternoon

It comes as Metropolitan Police chief Cressida Dick said the force had been 'stretched' by XR protests, impeding its ability to respond to other crimes.

At the end of a week of demonstrations that has seen more than 1,100 arrests, the force was also dealing with the fatal stabbings of two teenagers within four hours.

Dame Cressida said she hoped the activists would choose to either 'protest lawfully' or 'go home' after their 'failure to take and occupy the streets that they wanted to'.

She said: 'If they do that then of course I can deploy many of my officers back to the streets, back to the neighbourhoods, back to the schools, back to the wards of the people of London.

The activists in London have told police they want to be arrested and will not move willingly

The breakthrough in Trafalgar Square today secures a minor victory for overstretched officers

Extinction Rebellion climate change protesters gathered in Trafalgar Square again today

'We are responding to all serious matters and urgent matters of course, carrying on with our crime investigations in homicide or armed robbery... but we're having to move work from one unit to another and the less urgent, less critical, less important work of course gets delayed.'

Activists blocked the entrance to the BBC's central London headquarters on Friday, with some scaling the front of the building.

BBC staff members reported being unable to get in to New Broadcasting House this morning as dozens of protesters camped outside the main entrance with banners urging the corporation to end its 'silence' on climate change.

Yesterday, demonstrations focused on London City Airport, where protesters attempted a 'Hong Kong-style occupation' of the terminal building, with hundreds blocking the main entrance.

Tents in London's Trafalgar Square this afternoon as the Extinction Rebellion protests continue

Protesters blocking the entrance to the BBC New Broadcasting House in London this morning

Two protesters stood on a canopy roof outside the BBC's New Broadcasting House today

One demonstrator, Paralympic cyclist James Brown, climbed on top of a British Airways jet, prompting criticism from Dame Cressida, who described the act as 'reckless, stupid and dangerous'.

On the same day as the airport protests, a 15-year-old boy was stabbed to death in Stratford, East London, and an 18-year-old man also died after suffering stab wounds in Camberwell, South London.

The incidents took the city's homicide tally to 118 in 2019 so far. 'It takes its toll on my officers too,' Dame Cressida said of the mass demonstrations.

'I would like Extinction Rebellion to protest lawfully or go home and that would make it easier for everybody in the Met to provide the service we want to provide to Londoners.'

Is Extinction Rebellion protest endangered? Police re-open streets around Trafalgar Square after Met chief Cressida Dick boasts of protestors' 'failure to take and occupy the streets they wanted'

ByShekhar Bhatiaand Mark Duell for MailOnline

Police have finally managed to clear roads around Trafalgar Square and allow traffic back in for the first time since the Extinction Rebellion demonstrations began.

Taxis and cars were allowed along Whitehall and into Trafalgar Square for the first time since the climate activists took hold of the area in Westminster on Monday.

The breakthrough secures a minor victory for overstretched Scotland Yard officers who still have to clear hundreds of demonstrators from the east side of the square.

Taxis and cars are allowed along Whitehall and into Trafalgar Square again this afternoon

Extinction Rebellion protesters are still gathering at Trafalgar Square in London this afternoon

The activists in London have told police they want to be arrested and will not move willingly

The breakthrough in Trafalgar Square today secures a minor victory for overstretched officers

The activists remain seated in the road, meaning only half of Trafalgar Square is open to traffic. They have said they want to be arrested and will not move willingly.

It comes as Metropolitan Police chief Cressida Dick said the force had been 'stretched' by XR protests, impeding its ability to respond to other crimes.

At the end of a week of demonstrations that has seen more than 1,100 arrests, the force was also dealing with the fatal stabbings of two teenagers within four hours.

Dame Cressida said she hoped the activists would choose to either 'protest lawfully' or 'go home' after their 'failure to take and occupy the streets that they wanted to'.

Tents in London's Trafalgar Square this afternoon as the Extinction Rebellion protests continue

Protesters blocking the entrance to the BBC New Broadcasting House in London this morning

Two protesters stood on a canopy roof outside the BBC's New Broadcasting House today

She said: 'If they do that then of course I can deploy many of my officers back to the streets, back to the neighbourhoods, back to the schools, back to the wards of the people of London.

'We are responding to all serious matters and urgent matters of course, carrying on with our crime investigations in homicide or armed robbery... but we're having to move work from one unit to another and the less urgent, less critical, less important work of course gets delayed.'

Activists blocked the entrance to the BBC's central London headquarters on Friday, with some scaling the front of the building.

BBC staff members reported being unable to get in to New Broadcasting House this morning as dozens of protesters camped outside the main entrance with banners urging the corporation to end its 'silence' on climate change.

Yesterday, demonstrations focused on London City Airport, where protesters attempted a 'Hong Kong-style occupation' of the terminal building, with hundreds blocking the main entrance.

One demonstrator, Paralympic cyclist James Brown, climbed on top of a British Airways jet, prompting criticism from Dame Cressida, who described the act as 'reckless, stupid and dangerous'.

On the same day as the airport protests, a 15-year-old boy was stabbed to death in Stratford, East London, and an 18-year-old man also died after suffering stab wounds in Camberwell, South London.

The incidents took the city's homicide tally to 118 in 2019 so far. 'It takes its toll on my officers too,' Dame Cressida said of the mass demonstrations.

'I would like Extinction Rebellion to protest lawfully or go home and that would make it easier for everybody in the Met to provide the service we want to provide to Londoners.'