Border Guards get Uniforms in Gatwick
Immigration officers began wearing uniforms at Gatwick's border control for the first time today.
Officers in dark blue suits and light blue shirts, combined with new border signage, will make it clear to arriving passengers that they are at the UK Border.
Border checks include:
* New-style scanners which check the latest generation of passports designed to stop people from using a false identity to enter the country.
* Further document checks to verify that the passport has not been tampered with.
* Checks against the UK watchlist which includes details of known criminals and immigration offenders.
IRIS recognition technology, also allows trusted travellers who have registered in advance, to have their eye scanned to enter the UK quickly.
Visiting Gatwick to see these security measures in action, Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said:
"Maintaining and strengthening the security of Britain's borders is a top priority.
"We are determined to improve public confidence in how immigration is managed. Key to this is the creation of highly visible staff at our borders, to deter people who have no right to be here.
"The use of biometric technology and the continued vigilance of Border and Immigration Agency staff are key to cracking down on illegal entry.
"Close to 4,500 people were refused permission to enter the UK at Gatwick in 2006."
New technology is being used to strengthen the Government's ability to stop identity fraud, forgery and to check people in and out of the country. This has already resulted in the details of 20 million passenger movements in and out of the UK being checked in 2006, resulting in 12,000 individuals being flagged for further checks and 1,000 arrests.
While tougher security checks may result in slightly increased waiting times, a recent survey showed that the vast majority of the public - over 80 per cent - think it is reasonable to wait a little longer to allow for thorough entry checks. Tougher security is particularly important this time of heightened security.
Uniforms are also in place at Stansted. The nationwide roll-out will take place at the end of September.
Notes to Editors
1. For more information on the Border and Visa strategy visit: http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/6353/aboutus/Securing_the_UK_Border_final.pdf
2. The Iris Recognition Immigration System (IRIS) - a biometric system that allows ease of passage for trusted travellers leaving immigration officers to concentrate on security priorities - has seen over 100,000 enrolments since its launch in 2006.
3. In 2005, 3,562 people were refused entry to Britain at Gatwick. In 2006, the number was 4,317.