New penalties for hauliers and other carriers who bring clandestine illegal immigrants into the country are coming into force.
Where hauliers, drivers and other carriers can show they have taken all reasonable precautions, as set out in a code of practice, then in the event of clandestines being found no penalty will be issued. Those who fail to properly secure and check their transporters will be liable to pay up to œ2,000 for each clandestine entrant found in their vehicle. The level of the penalty will take account of any precautions that have been taken.
What they say
Home Office Minister, Beverley Hughes, called the revised fines ?both fair and robust?. She said: ?The penalty system is a crucially important border control tool, and has been extremely successful in reducing the number of illegal immigrants smuggled into the UK hidden in lorries or other transporters. We are determined that it should continue to encourage operators to secure their transporters properly. It is wholly reasonable to expect hauliers and other carriers to take responsibility for the security of their lorries or transporters and take effective measures to prevent clandestine entrants being brought to the UK.? Factors will include whether: the owner or hirer made sure adequate security devices were available and that the vehicle was well-maintained; the driver carried out checks before leaving for the UK; the driver and owner or hirer have a previously good record; and in certain circumstances the driver co-operated in bringing clandestine entrants to the notice of the UK authorities. The new regime also introduces a statutory right of appeal against both the penalty and the amount. Drivers, owners, hirers and operators, will be liable. Visit www.homeoffice.gov.uk
