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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/12/uks-smaller-ports-left-largely-unvisited-by-border-officials-report-finds
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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Lack of border staff visits leave some small ports vulnerable – report | Lack of border staff visits leave some small ports vulnerable – report |
| (3 days later) | |
| Nearly half of the unmanned seaports on the east coast of Britain were left without a visit by border enforcement officers for more than a year, an inspection has found, raising concerns that they could be vulnerable to smugglers. | Nearly half of the unmanned seaports on the east coast of Britain were left without a visit by border enforcement officers for more than a year, an inspection has found, raising concerns that they could be vulnerable to smugglers. |
| David Bolt, the independent chief inspector of borders and immigration, looked at 62 smaller, normally unmanned, east coast ports and landing places, such as harbours and marinas. | David Bolt, the independent chief inspector of borders and immigration, looked at 62 smaller, normally unmanned, east coast ports and landing places, such as harbours and marinas. |
| According to its own data, Border Force, the Home Office agency tasked with securing the border, had not attended 27 of the 62 during the 15 months to 30 June last year. | According to its own data, Border Force, the Home Office agency tasked with securing the border, had not attended 27 of the 62 during the 15 months to 30 June last year. |
| The inspector said this meant there was no visible deterrent to anyone prepared to risk using the spots to land illegal migrants or contraband goods. | The inspector said this meant there was no visible deterrent to anyone prepared to risk using the spots to land illegal migrants or contraband goods. |
| The report recommended prioritising visits to smaller, unmanned ports and other locations where vessels can land people and goods and that have not been visited for more than 12 months in order to collect any relevant local intelligence. | The report recommended prioritising visits to smaller, unmanned ports and other locations where vessels can land people and goods and that have not been visited for more than 12 months in order to collect any relevant local intelligence. |
| Bolt said: “Coverage of smaller ports, harbours and marinas was poor. The numbers of clandestine arrivals identified by Border Force at east coast ports had indeed increased, and Border Force was dealing appropriately with individuals, whether they claimed asylum or agreed to be removed immediately. | Bolt said: “Coverage of smaller ports, harbours and marinas was poor. The numbers of clandestine arrivals identified by Border Force at east coast ports had indeed increased, and Border Force was dealing appropriately with individuals, whether they claimed asylum or agreed to be removed immediately. |
| “The overall sense was that Border Force was stretched, in some instances too thinly, but coping.” | “The overall sense was that Border Force was stretched, in some instances too thinly, but coping.” |
| This inspection also looked at five major seaports in England – Tilbury, Harwich, Felixstowe, Immingham, Hull – and one in Scotland, Rosyth. | This inspection also looked at five major seaports in England – Tilbury, Harwich, Felixstowe, Immingham, Hull – and one in Scotland, Rosyth. |
| Bolt said Border Force was generally efficient and effective in managing the fixed immigration control points at these major seaports. | Bolt said Border Force was generally efficient and effective in managing the fixed immigration control points at these major seaports. |
| A Home Office spokesperson said the department accepted improvements could be made. | A Home Office spokesperson said the department accepted improvements could be made. |
| “We are already improving our visibility and intelligence-gathering at smaller ports by doubling the number of coastal patrol vessels operating, increasing the focus of our field intelligence officers on maritime and, through Project Kraken, helping maritime communities to report suspicious activity. | “We are already improving our visibility and intelligence-gathering at smaller ports by doubling the number of coastal patrol vessels operating, increasing the focus of our field intelligence officers on maritime and, through Project Kraken, helping maritime communities to report suspicious activity. |
| “Additionally, we have set up the Maritime Information Bureau to ensure our operations, and those of our partners, are targeted based on the threat facing our coastline, keeping communities safe. With over 11,000 miles of coastline, it is crucial that Border Force uses intelligence to prioritise its resources. | “Additionally, we have set up the Maritime Information Bureau to ensure our operations, and those of our partners, are targeted based on the threat facing our coastline, keeping communities safe. With over 11,000 miles of coastline, it is crucial that Border Force uses intelligence to prioritise its resources. |
| “We are also working, including through the organised immigration crime taskforce and with international partners, to target the crime gangs involved in smuggling people and illicit goods long before they arrive on our shores.” | “We are also working, including through the organised immigration crime taskforce and with international partners, to target the crime gangs involved in smuggling people and illicit goods long before they arrive on our shores.” |
| Immigration and asylum | Immigration and asylum |
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