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Release (150/2007) issued by The Government News Network on 27
September 2007
The fight against
illegal immigration took another step forward today with the
launch of a purpose-built lorry to detain illegal immigrants in Poole.
Immigration Minister Liam Byrne saw at first hand how the pilot
project helps ensure illegal migrants found at UK ports on the
south coast by Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) officers can be
securely detained in a purpose built facility.
The specially designed vehicle can be driven to where it is
needed most and can hold up to ten suspected immigration offenders
for a maximum of 12 hours while checks are done to verify their
right to be in the UK or prior to being taken to an immigration
removal centre.
Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said:
"Tougher checks at Britain's borders mean on the spot
lock-ups are now essential.
"It sends a very clear message to would-be illegal
immigrants that when we catch you we'll instantly detain you
and then we will send you home. "Today's test in Poole
is part of sweeping changes to transform Britain's border
security for the modern world."
Effective immigration controls don't just start when people
enter Britain, they begin before travellers board a train, plane
or boat. Last year the BIA stopped 17,000 people crossing the
Channel illegally. In the same period, immigration controls in
France and Belgium refused entry to 6,000 people. Ferries arriving
in Poole are searched for illegal entrants before setting sail for
the UK. The success of these off-shore controls are clear with an
88 per cent reduction in the number of illegal immigrants arriving
in the UK since 2002.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The pilot is operated by GEO, a global organisation
specialising in custody and escort and services, and consists of:
* four detention custody officers;
* a mobile holding van which provides a static facility to detain
up to ten immigration offenders; and
* a shuttle vehicle for transporting immigration offenders
between the point of detection, the holding facility, police
stations, removal centres and so on.
2. The pilot will last until February 2008.