Metal-sided trucks safe from prying security aid

CHECKS on containers arriving in the UK from other EU ports, such as Zeebrugge, are “almost non-existent”, it is claimed.

And the thermal imaging cameras “widely used” at UK ports are unable to detect people inside refrigerated lorries.

In July, 13 migrants were found in a refrigerated lorry in St Albans, Herts. A spokesman for a leading manufacturer of thermal imaging cameras said: “It is quite plausible that the smugglers could do this as a way of evading detection.

“In a normal lorry, with PVC sides, if someone inside leans against the walls, in the right conditions, then thermal imaging can spot that.

“But a refrigerated lorry container generally has metal sides and thermal imaging cameras can’t see through that.”

CHECKS

After we leave the EU, lorries carrying goods from the UK to Europe face long delays due to new customs checks.

The UK government has said lorries arriving from the EU would mostly be let through without checks for at least three months in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

The Institute for Government says customs systems must strike a balance between security and “facilitating the flow of goods”.

At the Port of Southampton alone, 37 million tons of goods pass through every year.

Customs is “intelligence led” and “documentary checks are carried out on less than 3% of imports”. The institute states:

“For trade with most countries outside the EU, some customs checks are unavoidable. For trade between EU member states, these checks are almost non-existent.”