Security of UK borders at risk due to passport e-gates chaos, inspector finds

The security of the UK’s borders at ports and airports is being put at risk due to a lack of radios, distractions for staff and “ineffective” use of resources, a damning inspectors’ report has revealed.

The report was drawn up by David Neal, who was recently sacked by the Government as the UK’s chief inspector of borders and immigration.

Mr Neal said protection of the border was “neither effective nor efficient” due to “distractions, ineffective and inconsistent deployment of resources, lack of communications equipment, poorly configured arrival halls, and poor data” at passport e-gates which could be exploited.

His team carried out inspections at Heathrow, Stansted and Luton airports last May following earlier shortcomings in border security, but Mr Neal said the situation was likely to be the same across all UK ports and airports.

Of the six recommendations he made to the then Home Secretary Suella Braverman last May, five have been accepted by the Home Office but only two have so far been implemented.

The report also suggested that the problem of staffing had become worse since Brexit, with Border Force staff at Stansted revealing that their casework had increased by 400 per cent since the UK left the EU.

Mr Neal said his inspectors had found that Border Force staff were “dedicated” but that an effective operation was hampered by a litany of problems, including posts being left unstaffed while officers tried to get the attention of their managers.

A lack of radios for staff was a common problem in the three airports, which Mr Neal said “increases the risk to officers’ personal safety and to the security of the border”.

This lack of efficient communication “has the potential to be a gap in border security that could be exploited, and has a detrimental effect on officer safety”, the report said, adding: “Inspectors were not provided with an adequate explanation as to why this crucial but basic equipment is not mandated before officers are deployed.”

The report added: “Border Force officers are often distracted from their core operational activity by the environments in which they operate. The inspection team witnessed roving officers distracted by having to manage queues and deal with passenger queries.

“Inspectors also observed how poor infrastructure in the arrival hall places additional stresses on officers.”

Despite an earlier recommendation by Mr Neal for at least two roving Border Force officers at ports and airports where more than 10 passport gates are in operation, the Home Office refused to accept it as a mandatory instruction, and defers to managers on the ground to follow as guidance.

This guidance was not being followed at all three airports inspected, Mr Neal said.

The report added: “The inspection found a lack of basic communication equipment. Inspectors saw border posts left unmanned while officers signalled for attention from their managers.

“This is unacceptable and needs to be addressed urgently.”

The inspection also uncovered failings in Home Office data, which was not being made available to Border Force managers on the ground, “therefore inhibiting their ability to run an effective operation”.

Mr Neal added: “The evidence provides a snapshot of a system nowhere near that envisaged by the UK Border Strategy 2025…

“On the basis of this inspection, I believe the protection of the border is neither effective nor efficient.”

In its formal response to Mr Neal’s inspection report, the Home Office said: “The Home Office is pleased that the inspection team found Border Force staff to be dedicated and well-motivated.

“We acknowledge that airport environments are complicated and sometimes factors beyond our immediate control can impact our processes, but our aim is to provide a professional and adaptable service which protects the public by providing a secure border, whilst facilitating legitimate travel and trade.”