Single force to protect UK borders
Britain’s first unified border force is to be set up by the Government, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said today.
Officers from the Border and Immigration Agency, Revenue and Customs and UKVisas will be brought together, creating a single checkpoint for travellers at ports and airports.
Mr Brown also announced consultation on doubling the time police can hold terror suspects to 56 days, and on an alternative proposal which would allow a maximum of 58 days pre-charge detention.
Mr Brown said: ``To strengthen the powers and surveillance capabilities of our border guards and security officers, we will now integrate the vital work of the Border and Immigration Agency, Customs and UKVisas overseas.
“At the main points of entry to the UK we will establish a unified border force.”
The Cabinet Secretary has been asked to report on plans for implementing the proposal by October, and also on whether there is a case to go further, added Mr Brown.
It would lead “for first time to one single primary checkpoint for both passport control and for Customs”, he told the House of Commons.
Opposition leader David Cameron said he was “delighted” to see the Government adopting his party’s policy for a single border force.
