The juxtaposed controls
- The UK operates border controls in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. This allows Border Force officers to check passengers and freight destined for the UK before they begin their journey.
- These ‘juxtaposed controls’ are in place at Calais and Dunkirk ports, at the Eurotunnel terminal at Coquelles and in Paris Gare du Nord, Lille, Calais-Frethun, Brussels Midi and Amsterdam/Rotterdam stations for Eurostar passengers.
- The arrangement is reciprocal, with French officers completing Schengen entry checks in the UK. Outbound Schengen entry border controls at Dover are the responsibility of the French Police Aux Frontiers, who control entry to France, and the Schengen area, through their juxtaposed controls at the entry to Dover port.
- These arrangements are underpinned by treaties.
Social, economic and security benefits for the UK
- Millions of passengers and billions of pounds worth of legitimate trade pass through our juxtaposed border controls each year.
- With hundreds of ferry and rail crossings each week, the ports in Northern France remain a target for criminals attempting to smuggle dangerous goods and for people looking to enter the UK illegally. This is why we take border security at these ports seriously.
- Removing the need for immigration controls on arrival in the UK speeds up journey times and allows transport providers to put on more services
Searches and security
- All freight vehicles are screened for hidden people or other contraband before they get to the UK.
- Border Force uses a range of techniques including detection dogs, carbon dioxide detectors and motion detection technology – as well as visual checks and physical searches to detect stowaways hidden deep within vehicles. Officers are also acting on intelligence, targeting vehicles thought to be linked to organised crime groups.
- Every passenger is subject to passport control checks against security and immigration watch lists they would be subject to if they arrived at a UK airport. Our officers are experts in the detection of forged documents and imposters.
- Border Force officers are there, 24 hours a day, every day of the year using intelligence, technology and their expertise to keep communities in the UK safe.
- As well as illegal drugs, counterfeit goods and untaxed tobacco, thousands of attempts to enter the country illegally are stopped before vehicles leave France.
The role of industry partners
- Hauliers are expected to operate effective security measures, including securing their lorries with a padlock, seals and tilt cord. Where this is not done, and migrants are found in a vehicle the driver, the owner or hirer of a vehicle can face a fine. The maximum fine for carrying a clandestine has been increased from £2k to up to £10k.
- And a new penalty is available where someone has failed to adequately secure a goods vehicle – no matter whether a clandestine entrant has been found. The maximum penalty for this will be £6,000.
Combating organised immigration crime
- The UK has established the Organised Immigration Crime Taskforce which brings together officers from Border Force, the National Crime Agency, Immigration Enforcement and the Crown Prosecution Service.
- The Taskforce seeks to use every opportunity, whether that be in source countries, countries migrants travel through or in Europe to identify and tackle organised crime groups involved in organised immigration crime.
- We have also increased our joint intelligence work with European and international partners to target the criminal groups who facilitate people smuggling.