Stricter border controls?
Friday 5th December 2008, 3:00PM GMT.
THE United Kingdom could be forced to impose stricter border controls with Jersey because the Island’s frontiers are undermanned.
A major review into the Customs and Immigration Service has found that Jersey’s borders remain abandoned for significant periods because of a lack of funding. This leaves a potential back door open for illegal immigrants to get into the UK and for drugs and other illegal activities to be smuggled into the Island.
The review has also revealed that there have been at least four occasions this year where Customs have not been able to carry out immigration control because of a lack of staff.
The Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny panel, which carried out the review, said that Jersey’s shortcomings could lead to the UK and members of the Common Travel Area considering whether to impose tighter border controls because the Island could be breaking its international agreement with the UK.
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The sooner we get out of that agreement the better after the nightmare of having to use Gatwick where we can not use international flight connections as we have to enter the UK first, before we get the pleasure of waiting in a line for a hour to clear customs and immigration and have our photo taken.
And also the cost savings of not having to board and carry out the UK customs and immigration controls on every ferry transiting to the UK would free up plenty of money to make certain all entering Jersey displayed a passport to an immigration officer.
Time we stood on our own we are not part of the UK and I hope in my lifetime never will be.
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Nice but late!!
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The last time I came through Portsmouth from jersey I could have brought the ferry in as well. There was absolutely no customs or immigration presence. Another case of UK finding someone else to blame!
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Think about this.
If they can smuggle drugs into Jersey what else is being smuggled?
How many times have you been searched going into the UK from Jersey airport?
Ferry Port?
Never?
Jersey has always being used as a back door to the UK and with the heightened state of alert around the world i don’t blame the UK if they want to close their borders.
Jersey should do the same but due to the wasted spending of tax payers’ money in other areas of the States, Customs have been underfunded.
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Just the boost tourism needs eh, it is becoming more difficult to get here all the time. The gatwick heathrow gap in travel is bad enough as it is, this gap doubles travel time from most places and it could get worse.
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As part of my employment I have to use explosives.
During the summer I flew from Jersey to Gatwick and then on to Turkey and return.
At both transits of Gatwick trace elements were detected and I had to explain the contamination.
A few ciggies is one thing but Jersey did not notice this contamination. Worrying isn’t it ?
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