Smuggling crackdown at region’s ports calls on haulage workers

PEOPLE URGED TO REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY ANONYMOUSLY

DRUG, gun and people smuggling at the Humber’s ports are being tackled as part of a new crime initiative.

Project Yali, launched by Humberside Crimestoppers, gives those working in the haulage and shipping industries the opportunity to anonymously report suspicious activity.

Rewards of up to £1,000 are being offered for information that leads to a conviction, as the region looks to stamp out crime at its ports.

Martin Welch, chairman at Humberside Crimestoppers, said: “If you look at the Humber’s ports, such as Hull and Immingham, and the amount of tonnage that is handled there, there is obviously a risk of smuggling.

“That could be people smuggling, firearm smuggling or drug smuggling.

“Project Yali hopes to raise awareness among haulage drivers and other workers, and give them a place to anonymously pass information to.

“That information can then be dealt with by authorities like the police, Border Force and HMRC.”

Project Yali is a joint initiative that also involves Humberside Police, ABP, P&O Ferries, Tata Steel, Border Force and the North East Counter Terrorism Unit. It looks to build on the success authorities have had in recent years at clamping down on port crime in the region.

Mr Welch said: “If you look at the Port of Hull, there have been some significant finds there in the past few years.

“The police are very proactive in monitoring activity at the ports, and have a presence at the docks.”

Earlier this month, ten migrants were discovered hiding in a shipping container at Immingham. Authorities also locked down the Port of Hull as part of the search, as police and Border Force officers tracked down a suspicious mobile phone signal that had been detected.

At a time when the Humber’s ports have already seen an increase in the volume of traffic, due to lingering Brexit concerns surrounding Dover, security is more important than ever.

Hull’s business community is also being urged to support Project Yali through donations to Crimestoppers.

Mr Welch said: “Crimestoppers is run as a charity, and therefore we do rely on donations to help us with the work we do.

“In the past we have had some great support from the likes of P&O. In order for us to do the job properly, we need donations.”

To support Project Yali, email Mr Welch at martin.welch@britishsteel. co.uk or call 07775 817059.

Emergency service vehicles were dispatched to the Port of Hull earlier this month King George Dock in Hull