Border security: 'Even today, we don't know who's here'

Border Agency 'absolutely required' says Island's chief constable

Mandatory ID checks at the Island's borders need to be introduced 'as soon as is practicably possible'.

That's the message from the chief constable.

Russ Foster appeared on Manx Radio's Mannin Line today (29 July).

He said he would welcome the expansion of the measure to include the Isle of Man Airport:

Currently, people travelling via the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company do not usually have to provide identification at check-in.

All customers are required to carry identification, in line with the company's conditions of carriage, and must be able to produce it on demand.

When asked by a caller if the Island's current border arrangements would allow someone seeking to harm the Manx public to arrive on the ferry with hand luggage, without having to show ID, Mr Foster said: "Of course they would. And there lies the vulnerability."

He added: "What's stopping them jumping on the Steam Packet over in Liverpool [or] Heysham, and popping over to the Isle of Man and becoming domiciled here?"

ID REQUIREMENTS

Ferry travel sits separately to air travel, which is generally governed by the rules of the airline itself - for instance, whether you've checked baggage or not.

But when it comes to our seaports, the Department of Home Affairs has been looking into introducing the measure to help improve security.

A consultation was opened on the topic between 20 April and 8 June.

"Even today, we don't know who's here. We don't know who's coming and going."

- Chief Constable Russ Foster

At the time government said the 'proposal aims to enhance security for ferry travel in a proportionate and targeted way and to align with UK law enforcement expectations and data standards while upholding human rights and data protection obligations'. 

It would also mean we don't introduce routine immigration controls within the Common Travel Area.

The consultation document also contained details of steps already introduced or in process, such as the phased implementation of Automatic Number Plate Recognition and the deployment of drug detection dogs at the Sea Terminal.

(Picture credit: Manx Radio)

One Mannin Line caller asked Mr Foster if the introduction of ID checks would not simply create a 'false sense of security' for the Island and be ineffectual in practice.

That was a claim Mr Foster refuted.

He said if the Steam Packet would verify a person's details on the manifest, and if the constabulary had an interest in the individual or had received intelligence, officers would be able to intercept them at the Sea Terminal:

IMMIGRATION

And what of the other big topic which dominates discussion around our borders - and is likely a high-ticket topic looking towards this year's General Election - immigration.

Earlier this week, government announced that £1.2 million has been allocated to support the establishment of a new Border Division on the Isle of Man. 

It came into force on Monday (27 July) and followed Chief Minister Alfred Cannan's announcement in June that there are plans in development to create a dedicated Border Agency to 'help strengthen border security, improve immigration control and protect the Island from criminal exploitation'.

You can read more HERE. 

Mr Foster told Manx Radio immigration was having a 'significant impact' on the constabulary due to 'some of the complex investigations [they've] undertaken' as a result of the current visa system being 'abused'.

He pointed to modern day slavery as being an issue on the Island due to organised crime groups taking advantage of the current rules.

"Organised crime groups have retained their passports, their travel documents. They've put them into jobs which they weren't particularly expecting. They've also had their payment paid into the bank accounts by the organised criminals who have kept a proportion of the money.

"That's what you call modern day slavery. It's here on the Island; we are tackling it." 

- Chief Constable Russ Foster

Mr Foster told Mannin Line listeners the problem is something which will be a 'continual challenge' that needs tackling; and that the eventual formation of a dedicated Border Agency is 'absolutely required in the interests of safety and security of the Island':

You can catch up on today's Mannin Line in full here: