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Embargoed until 00:01 on 1 Dec 2010 - Independent Chief Inspector of the UK Border Agency publishes report on Border Control at Manchester Airport

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 30 November 2010

A report published today by the Independent Chief Inspector of the UK Border Agency has found that the effectiveness of Facial Recognition Gates at Manchester Airport may be compromised by unreliable technology.

Manchester Airport is the largest UK airport outside of London, handling over 20 million passenger movements each year. Approximately 85% of passenger movements are a result of international travel.

As part of a wider inspection into the UK Border Agency's operations in the North West of England region, the Independent Chief Inspector, John Vine CBE QPM found that the Facial Recognition Gates at Manchester Airport were not operational for a significant period of time during his inspection. However, when the Gates were working, they delivered benefits to passengers, reducing the time taken to go through passport control, increasing border security and allowing the Agency to make better use of its staff.

Mr Vine also found that, at the time of inspection, there were two areas of the airport where international passengers transferring between terminals could potentially walk out without passing through any primary control points.

Mr Vine said "A high level of security is paramount at any airport so I was concerned to find that the UK Border Agency had known about a potential risk to the border for some time. At the time of inspection, no contingency plans had been put in place to deal with this risk. I would urge that this be addressed as a matter of priority."

The Independent Chief Inspector's full report "An inspection of border control at Manchester Airport" can be viewed at: www.independent.gov.uk/icinspector/news

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Notes to Editors:

1. The Office of the Independent Chief Inspector was created by the UK Borders Act 2007. The appointment of John Vine CBE, QPM was announced in Parliament by the Home Secretary in April 2008. He took up his post in July 2008.

2. The Chief Inspector is independent of the UK Border Agency and is required to report annually to the Secretary of State.

3. The purpose of inspection of the UK Border Agency is to provide assurance to Ministers, Parliament and the public about the safe, proper and effective delivery of the functions of the UK Border Agency.

4. Facial Recognition Gates are a form of border security technology which scans each passenger's face against the digital photo recorded in their passport. If there is a match, the automatic gates allow the clearance of EU passengers across the border.

Media Enquiries:

Trish Macready

Contacts:

NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the issuing dept
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Patricia Macready
Phone: 0207 802 0448
patricia.macready@icinspector.gsi.gov.uk