Today's top-level summit in Newhaven on port security has been hailed a success by the town's MP, Norman Baker. The MP called the summit following the decision by HM Customs and Excise to remove all permanent officers from the port and replace them with rapid response teams. The MP has also had a number of letters from concerned constituents, complaining that the port appeared to be unstaffed by any enforcement bodies.
At the meeting today, the enforcement bodies were able to report good progress:
HM Customs revealed:
They have devoted more time to publicising their successes, thereby providing a deterrent
They have been able to provide a higher level of Customs presence at the port this year compared to previous years, and are making regular seizures
They are looking at using a mobile freight scanner in the port, to improve efficiency and detection
The Immigration Service revealed:
The policy at Newhaven is to attend the arrival of every ship
Transmanche Ferries are now checking every single ship for possible illegal immigrants before it leaves Dieppe
Immigration are using CO2 probes to check a significant proportion of ships for possible illegal entries on arrival at Newhaven
Sussex Police revealed:
They have adopted a policy of a permanent Special Branch presence at the port
They monitor a very large proportion of lorries arriving
more over
At the meeting, Norman Baker stressed the need for good joint working, and for a visible presence both to reassure the public and to act as a visible deterrent.
The meeting agreed:
To explore ways in which cross-agency working might be improved further, in particular, to try to find a way to secure common accommodation in the port, rather than working out of separate agency-based offices as at present
Norman Baker says: "It is good to learn of the steps the various enforcement agencies are taking to ensure Newhaven is as secure as it can be. I am also encouraged that there seems to be a good working relationship between the various bodies, although clearly there is more to do.
"It is also encouraging to learn that the new Customs arrangements have not led to a diminution in officer time spent at the port, and I look to see this commitment continue.
"I do believe however that there are steps that could and perhaps should be taken to improve efficiency further. These are:
The Newhaven MP will be pursuing these points with the Home Secretary and the Chancellor, respectively responsible for police and immigration, and Customs.
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