Growing concerns over Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme

Today we provided our submission to the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) call for evidence on the inspection of Border Force operations to deter and detect clandestine entrants to the UK.We have very real concerns regarding the effectiveness of the Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme, and we support all reasonable measures to secure the UK border.

We recognise the need to deter clandestine entrants as well as penalise those drivers and operators who aren't taking steps to secure their vehicles.

However, we've a number of genuine concerns about how the penalty regime is currently being enforced.

Specifically, we believe it's wrong that drivers and businesses who have done everything they reasonably can to prevent clandestine entry are being punished. We've heard numerous examples of this from our members and across the industry.

In addition to our own submission, as part of our collaboration work within ALTA, the leaders of the UK's largest trade associations across the logistics and road transport sector have today joined forces to collectively write to the ICIBI regarding our concerns.

We stand ready to work with both the Border Force and the Home Office on improving border security and we're available to discuss this issue in greater detail as part of their inspection process. We're calling for the following measures:

• A review of the Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme and entry checklists in line with the evolving illegal immigration situation to ensure they are fit for purpose. This should account for the advanced methods used by organised criminals to conceal migrants entering vehicles.
  
  
• Improved training for Border Force officials on vehicle security to increase their understanding of the latest methods and techniques used by clandestine entrants.
  
  
• A clear declaration that drivers are not expected to personally deal with potential clandestine entrants on safety grounds, with additional guidance and publicity on the steps a driver should take in these circumstances.
  
  
• Clearer avenues for drivers to seek assistance from French authorities and UK Border officials to ensure no driver genuinely seeking assistance to deal with a clandestine entrant is punished.