The Identity Cards Act 2006 created new criminal offences covering the possession, control and intent to use false identity cards, including a genuine document that relates to someone else. It is also an offence to make a false identity card or to have apparatus for making false cards. These offences came into force on 7 June 2006 and apply to other official identity documents, including passports, immigration documents and driving licences, as well as driving licences, passports and identity cards issued by other countries.
Identity cards to be issued under the Identity Cards Act later in the year, as well as those already being issued to foreign nationals, are highly secure and protected by a combination of physical and electronic security features designed to prevent forgery and tampering.