Smith promises "ring of security" around UK borders
Thursday, 3 April 2008 12:00 AM
The UK's new unified border agency was launched today by the home secretary.
Working as a shadow agency of the Home Office, it will bring together border, immigration, customs and visa checks.
Jacqui Smith argued it would help to protect borders, control migration and prevent border tax fraud, smuggling and immigration crime.
Ms Smith said the public would soon see a "ring of security" around Britain.
The 25,000 strong organisation will work as a shadow agency of the Home Office.
Full powers are yet to be granted to its staff, but over the coming months 1,000 frontline staff will be given immigration and custom powers and employees in England and Wales will be handed police-like powers after an agreement with the Association of Chief Police Officers.
Ms Smith said: "The UK Border Agency (UKBA) will help strengthen protection of our border. With tough customs, immigration and police-like powers UKBA officers will be better equipped than ever to guard our ports and airports, protecting the country from illegal immigration, organised crime and terrorism.
"This 25,000 strong force will work both at home and abroad to tackle smuggling of people and goods into Britain using intelligence, new technology and wide-ranging powers and I am confident it will help strengthen policing at the border."
Jane Kennedy, financial secretary to the Treasury, said the new agency would provide a crucial service.
"It will protect tax revenues and assist international trade and the passage of essential goods at the frontier," she said.
The Home Office has already begun fingerprinting all foreign visa applicants and from November ID cards will be rolled out for foreign nationals.
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