The Road Haulage Association (RHA) in the UK is urging the government to reform a penalty scheme which is seeing some transport operators and drivers unfairly penalised when ‘clandestine entrants’ are found on vehicles.

There’s widespread concern that the Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme isn’t wholly effective with operators being punished despite making all reasonable efforts to secure their vehicles.

The RHA acknowledges that illegal entry into the UK continues to be a big issue for government with boat crossings across the Channel making the headlines but says the scale and impact of people breaking into vehicles shouldn’t be underestimated.

Richard Smith, RHA Managing Director, said: “We recognise the role our industry plays in keeping the border secure, and support all reasonable measures to deter clandestine entrants as well as penalise those drivers and operators who aren’t taking the necessary steps to secure their vehicles. However, as tactics and techniques for hiding on vehicles evolve, it is vital the scheme also evolves so operators and drivers are not unfairly punished.”

The RHA wrote to the Independent Chief Inspector for Borders and Immigration in September as part of a review into the scheme, but is still awaiting a public response to that investigation.

The RHA is calling for:

• A review of the Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme and entry checklists in line with the evolving illegal immigration situation to ensure they are fit for purpose. This should account for the advanced methods used by organised criminals to conceal migrants entering vehicles.
• Improved training for Border Force officials on vehicle security to increase their understanding of the latest methods and techniques used by clandestine entrants.
• A clear declaration that drivers are not expected to personally deal with potential clandestine entrants on safety grounds, with additional guidance and publicity on the steps a driver should take in these circumstances.
• Clearer avenues for drivers to seek assistance from French authorities and UK Border officials to ensure no driver genuinely seeking assistance to deal with a clandestine entrant is punished.

The organisation continues to work with both the Border Force and the Home Office on improving border security.

Photo: Richard Smith.