28 March 2012
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MEASURES ANNOUNCED
TO IMPROVE IMMIGRATION CONTROL
Home Office, News Release, 19/09/2001
"Comprehensive measures to further enhance immigration control
in the UK were announced by the Home Secretary, David Blunkett,
today.
Speaking on a visit to the port of Dover to see the work of
Immigration Officers first hand, Mr Blunkett said:
"I have made clear my commitment to improving immigration
control and procedures in the UK, and at French ports and Coquelles.
The enhancement of security checks, identification of clandestine
attempts to enter the country, and improved action both to detain
and remove those unauthorised to remain in the country, is a
further step in the revision of overall immigration and asylum
policy which I have promised."
"These measures should be seen in the context of the wider
review of nationality and asylum policy, to be announced shortly.
These measures, together with those agreed with the French Interior
Minister last week, are geared to securing confidence in our
border controls and build on procedures undertaken by Jack Straw
and Barbara Roche over recent years."
"The agreement I reached, as a result of my meeting last
week with Daniel Vaillant, form the beginning of a more extensive
process which will see much closer relationships between the
UK, the French and our wider EU partners. The measures that will
be discussed at an emergency Joint Home Affairs Council in Brussels
this Thursday on counter-terrorism activity, will be complemented
by the improved and enhanced border controls which we in Britain
are able to provide, and which would not be in place were we
to join the Schengen Protocol."
"As I have said before this is not just a problem limited
to Britain or to our relationship with France but it is a global
issue of international mobility, which the uncertainties created
by the horrific attack on the United States last week, will accelerate."
"However, I appreciate that people here in Britain look
to me to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to enhance
current measures. That is why I am announcing today further checks
and surveillance measures:
New measures announced are:
· The purchase of five mobile x/gamma ray scanners
for use by the Immigration Service, to detect clandestine entrants.
Additionally, co-use of scanners used by HM Customs for other
purposes have been agreed. The scanners will be placed initially
at Dover and Coquelles but will be rapidly extended to other
points of entry.
· Introduction of CCTV for the Immigration Service at
Heathrow Airport - building on work already undertaken at Gatwick
- to monitor passengers as they disembark from incoming flights.
This will provide, in the medium term, the potential for phasing
in other imaging services which will be of value in anti-terrorist
as well as immigration control measures.
· Proposal to implement the civil penalty on Eurotunnel
- in line with other freight carriers.
· A new Protocol between the Immigration Service and the
Police Service, to step up the removal effort of those illegal
immigrants or failed asylum seekers no longer entitled to remain
in Britain.
Pilots continue on:
· Trials of new heartbeat sensors at Dover and Coquelles.
The sensors work by placing up to 4 brass sensors, connected
to a simple touch screen computer, on the frame of a stationary
vehicle; the system is capable of detecting a heartbeat (human,
animal, bird etc) inside the vehicle by the movement the heartbeat
has on the vehicle.
· Analysis of passive millimetric wave imaging which uses
thermal imaging techniques to detect radiation naturally emitted
from objects. Although it can only be used for soft-sided vehicles,
it works when the vehicle is moving. Eurotunnel are operating
the system at Coquelles and we will be looking to use it for
the Immigration Service.
Work continues on:
· Enhanced support for Eurotunnel by the deployment
of additional immigration officers as part of the agreement with
the French Government.
· Enhanced advice and security support to Eurotunnel offered
by the UK Government in conjunction with measures already announced
by Eurotunnel themselves.
· The development of a holding centre (accommodating up
to 60 would-be illegal immigrants breaching security at Coquelles),
facilitating the commitment of the French Authorities to take
appropriate legal action by those trespassing or committing damage
within the Coquelles terminal.
· Facilitation of measures taken by the French to avoid
'local ticketing' from Paris to Calais and immigration checks
on all those using Eurostar for this journey or joining the train
at Calais (the French have promised to push through the legislation
this Autumn).
· Almost 3,000 spaces in the immigration detention estate
by March next year, an increase from 900, facilitating the new
rapid removal system announced in the Commons at the end of June,
to facilitate 2,500 removals per month by the Spring.
· More effective data collection and information transfers
system leading to a more robust statistical record (see separate
press release).
Mr Blunkett said:
"Ministers are working hard on further decisions during
the Autumn not only for tackling illegal immigration but for
the development of a more broad-based comprehensive nationality
and immigration policy, including the development of work permits
and a rational system for economic migrants, together with the
promised reviews of both the asylum support system and dispersal.
We are determined to implement a comprehensive strategy on tackling
illegal immigration. And the measures announced today will make
a positive impact on immigration and border controls in the UK."
"There is absolutely no room for complacency especially
with the heightened tension created by the events of last Tuesday,
but it would be quite wrong for anyone to suggest that the problem
of illegal immigration has worsened or that the Government has
not put in place adequate strategies to deal with clandestine
entry into the country. There were 808 clandestine entrants through
the Channel Tunnel in July, this fell to 726 in August, a time
of heightened interest and attention on the situation on the
French coast. Nevertheless, with the steps I have announced today
and with the increased pressure for Eurotunnel to complete security
measures - with our support - we can do even better."
"Better detection at Coquelles as well as at the Channel
Ports within France, will make a difference. I am continuing
discussion with the French authorities on the introduction of
both the x/gamma ray scanners at the French ports, and the 'heartbeat'
scanner once the preliminary piloting has been completed."
"As we develop the availability of equipment we will continue to co-use scanners available to HM Customs and Excise for other purposes and to co-ordinate security and Customs services with the Immigration Service."
"I can further announce today that we will be joining with European partners on very specific new border control arrangements which will target the outer borders of those countries seeking accession to the European Union. This means we can work with EU colleagues to break the supply line and reduce the ease with which would-be migrants reach the French coast."
"Technological advancement continues within the Immigration Service and one example of this is the implementation of Eurodac - the EU automated fingerprint system. The use of fingerprint technology is well underway in the UK and we are working toward Eurodac becoming another tool helping to build a more cohesive asylum system throughout the European community. "
"Finally, the work of the Immigration Service to offer advice and assistance to all airlines in preventing the carriage of inadequately documented passengers to the UK via the Airline Liaison Officer (ALO) network is tremendously important. ALOs are Chief Immigration Officers posted overseas whose work is complemented by colleagues at UK airports. They are specifically tasked with checking passengers from regions of the world where document controls are deemed to be inadequate. In addition to their work in relation to checking-in procedures, ALOs also train airline staff in enhanced forgery awareness techniques. The work of the ALOs is vitally important in the fight against illegal immigration."
ENDS
Notes to Editors
1. X ray scanners
Announcement made 25 April.
Consultation closed on the 31 August. Copies of which are available
on The Home Office website. www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/default.asp
The scanners operate through a boom, constructed on the rear
of a lorry, which passes over the vehicle to be checked. Additionally,
the Immigration Service will also co-use existing equipment operated
by HM Customs & Excise for other purposes.
2. CCTV
A joint project between the Immigration Service and BAA (British
Airports Authority) which aims to provide CCTV coverage of key
points in Heathrow. There is the possibility of further access
in due course.
These cameras will monitor people once they leave their flight,
and will help identify individuals who misuse or "lose"
their official documents and then present misleading or false
information to officers at immigration control.
3. Civil penalty
The consultation process with Eurotunnel and other interested
parties formally ended on 29 August 2001 and, as a result of
comments received, a number of changes to the draft Code of Practice
have been proposed. Copies available on The Home Office website.
Airlines, ferry operators, road hauliers and other freight train
operators are all liable for penalties if they do not take responsibility
for putting in place effective processes and measures to prevent
people travelling to the UK illegally.
From April 2000 the civil penalty was introduced to road hauliers
found with clandestine entrants concealed in their vehicles which
means they are liable to £2,000 per person penalty. From
March 2001 this was extended to rail freight.
The aim of the civil penalty is to encourage owners, drivers
and operators to check their vehicles for would-be clandestine
entrants prior to embarking for the UK.
4. Acoustic sensors
Acoustic sensors work on hard sided and soft-sided vehicles/containers
and refrigerated units provided all motors are switched off.
The Immigration Service has created an enclosure in Dover for
the trial of the scanners.
5. Passive Millimetric Wave Imaging
This will use thermal imaging techniques to detect radiation
naturally emitted from objects. The Imager can be located in
a large stationary van or similar vehicle and 'scans' the suspect
vehicles and container as it moves past.
6. Immigration Officers to Coquelles
Announcement made in meeting with Daniel Vaillant, 13 September
2001, STAT 034/2001
7. Holding centre at Coquelles
Proposals have been agreed with The Immigration Service, Police
Aux Frontieres and Eurotunnel to provide a holding area for those
trying to illegally enter the British Control Zone.
This holding zone will assist in controlling unauthorised persons
at the Coquelles site.
8. Detention Centres
The Government has committed £170 million to increase the
number of detention places available. Expansion of the detention
estate by 1,500 beds by Spring 2002 for asylum seekers whose
applications have failed and who have reached the end of the
process; people with manifestly unfounded claims; and those with
a history of abusing the immigration laws.
9. Eurodac
This has been operational in the UK since 1993. The Government
has spent £3 million to introduce Eurodac in the UK.
Fingerprint technology has an increasing role in the Immigration
Service. The mobile units allow immigration officials to check
the central database of fingerprints to ascertain within minutes
whether someone is working illegally, is an absconder or a failed
asylum seeker. The new system will speed up the processing of
immigration cases and improve detection of multiple applications.
10. ALOs
Airline Liaison Officers (ALOs) are based in various overseas
locations. They are chief immigration officers posted overseas
to offer advice and assistance to all airlines in preventing
the carriage of inadequately documented passengers to the UK.
They train airline staff in UK passport and visa requirements,
and also in forgery awareness.
Further information can be found on: www.homeoffice.gov.uk
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