Call for more passenger details amid concerns over security

Crime chief wants all cross-Channel operators to supply information

Kent crime commissioner Matthew Scott says he wants the government to require cross-Channel operators to provide the force with advance information about passengers.

Mr Scott flagged up the issue with Transport Secretary Chris Grayling during a visit to Kent.

The meeting took place before the terrorist attack in Berlin but the commissioner said he had raised the subject because of ongoing concerns about security.

He said advance information was provided by some operators ahead of Channel crossings but not all did. “During my conversations with Kent police officers they have raised concerns that we don’t always get advance passenger information from some of the operators that bring people into the UK.

“The information we get from these operators can help us reduce crime and also let us know who is coming into the country and who’s going out.”

He added: “It would be helpful to us if some of these operators could provide the information so we can do more to keep people safe.”

He said he would like operators to be required by law to provide advance passenger information, as most airlines routinely do.

“Given the risks that we face as a country and given the volume of traffic – both passenger and freight – that we get through the county, this is very important information for us.

“If we don’t know who is going in and out of the country we cannot prevent incidents from taking place. However, we have to be mindful about the way in which such people may present themselves.”

Eurotunnel spokesman John Keefe said: “In line with Home Office regulations, all passengers travelling via Eurotunnel already provide advance passenger information and have always been subject to 100% immigration controls before embarka- tion in Coquelles.

“Since April 2015, they have also been subject to 100% controls on exit from Folkestone, so the Home Office already gathers this information both in advance and pre-embarkation.”

Eurostar spokesman Roy Haycocks said: “Eurostar operates within the regulation set out by the UK government,which involves checks by the UK border authorities for all travellers before boarding.

“This means that no one can enter the UK without going through UK Border Force checks. We would always work with the relevant authorities to provide relevant information if necessary.”

Crime commissioner Matthew Scott