Border securityImmigration control at Welsh ports "risks U.K. security"

The U.K. Border Agency’s independent chief inspector found Holyhead seaport a high risk area for immigration offenses. John Vine recommended a comprehensive risk assessment at the Anglesey port and other smaller ports in Wales. Responding to the report, the U.K. Border Agency said staffing and security at Holyhead had been intensified.

The BBC reports that the office of the independent chief inspector was created in 2007 to ensure the U.K.’s immigration and nationality services are working effectively. Vine’s report represents the first comprehensive inspection of the U.K. Border Agency’s regional operations within the United Kingdom.

Cardiff, Bristol, Holyhead, and Plymouth ports were inspected, along with enforcement operations in Bristol and Cardiff. Vine found that Holyhead seaport is recognized by the U.K. Border Agency as a high risk area for immigration offenders entering the country illegally.

He said this brought into question the current level of security of the U.K. border.

The port, however, has no permanent immigration controls as, like other Welsh ports, all passengers arrive from the common travel area, which allows for free movement between Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands.

The report said U.K. Border Agency staff in the region were seen to act in a polite and respectful manner when dealing with customers and displayed resilience and professionalism in the face of difficult tasks.

There was an overall perception among staff, however, that change was not managed well and staff had raised concerns about the quality of leadership in the region.

Office accommodation at Plymouth and Holyhead seaports was found to be inadequate.

The chief inspector also found several serious issues which did not appear to conform with health and safety regulations.

He has recommended that staff at these seaports are provided with adequate, safe accommodation without delay. Vine, a former chief constable of Tayside Police, said: “A significant number of staff criticized the quality of leadership and management in the region and such was the consistency and strength of feeling that I have asked the U.K. Border Agency to specifically address staff concerns.”

He said he had been impressed with the enthusiasm and commitment demonstrated by staff in the Wales and south west region. He added, though, that he was concerned that some staff were expected to work in “completely unsatisfactory” accommodation.

In response to the report Immigration Minister Damian Green said the U.K. government was committed to creating a dedicated border police force to enhance national security, improve immigration controls, and crack down on trafficking of people, weapons and drugs. “The agency has already started to address the issues raised by the inspector’s report and is committed to continuing intelligence-led checks on all people and goods entering the U.K. via Welsh ports,” he said.

With regard to the situation at Holyhead, a U.K. Border Agency spokesman said: “The right for law-abiding citizens to move freely between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom is something the new government wishes to safeguard. The agency has already taken steps to increase staff levels at Holyhead to intensify intelligence-led checks on people and goods entering the U.K. via Welsh ports, in addition to the controls already carried out by the Irish authorities. In the meantime, staff from other areas of the UK are being used to protect the border there.”