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Illegal Immigrants: Police Custody

Volume 479: debated on Monday 21 July 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance her Department has issued to local police forces on the detention of illegal immigrants. (202945)

The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) applies to all persons detained in police custody, including those detained under immigration legislation. No additional guidance specifically for immigration detainees in police cells has been issued.

The United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) will respond to every police request where they encounter and arrest people who they have confirmed have been smuggled into the UK in lorries and take that person to immigration detention if appropriate. The UKBA have worked closely and in partnership with the Association of Chief Police Officers and have established Immigration Crime Partnerships with 85 per cent. of Constabularies in England and Wales with a target to increase this to 90 per cent. by 2008 and 100 per cent. by March 2009. The Government's plans, set out in ‘Enforcing the Deal’ published on 19 June 2008, set a clear goal to target and remove the most harmful people first, working with local authorities and enforcement agencies to shut down the privileges of the UK to those breaking the rules.

Copies of this document are placed in the Library of the House. It is also available to view at:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/managingourborders/enforcementbusinessplan08_09/enforcementbusinessplan08_09.pdf?view=Binary