Plans to stop criminals exploiting Manx borders

Measures to prevent criminals exploiting "limited controls" at Manx borders are being developed

Plans are being worked up to stop criminals exploiting the island's borders by tightening port security, the Isle of Man government has said.

A number of changes are being made that aim to improve controls at the Sea Terminal and airport, and the island's postal service.

A government spokeswoman said there was "growing evidence" that criminal networks were "seeking greater exploitation of the Isle of Man’s limited border controls".

The borders were being abused to import drugs, criminal property and weapons, she said.

The immediate changes include the passport, immigration and nationality functions of the Cabinet Office being moved to the Treasury.

The government spokeswoman said that would "allow the immigration and Customs teams to work even more closely for more effective joint enforcement".

'Weaknesses'

Under the measures being taken, the Department of Infrastructure's ports policing functions will be reviewed, and a "more consistent approach" to logging route and passenger information for private aircraft drafted.

Other measures being developed are around Automatic Number Plate Recognition at the ports, developing options to improve active controls at sea ports, and better sharing of sea passenger data with law enforcement agencies.

More up-to-date X-ray equipment for the postal sorting office, and the monitoring of wider parcel and courier services to deter the importation of drugs and other illegal items are also being explored.

Justice and Home Affairs Minister Jane Poole-Wilson said the island could not "afford to be complacent and must accept that there are individuals who come to our island to do harm".

"We know where our weaknesses are and it is now time for the Council of Ministers to take action and keep our island safe," she said.

"The controls being considered aim to secure our borders from criminal exploitation, while still protecting residents' rights to free movement within the Common Travel Area."