Independent report
An inspection of the initial processing of migrants arriving via small boats at Tug Haven and Western Jet Foil December 2021 – January 2022
The inspection focused on protecting the border through security checks, and the identification and safeguarding of vulnerable people.
Documents
Details
This report makes 4 recommendations and offers the Home Office a timescale to deliver those recommendations. More important is the delivery of a strategic approach by the Home Office to regularise their response to small boats, in preparation for increased numbers throughout this year. A new model for Borders and Enforcement is desperately required if our border is to be secured and vulnerability effectively addressed.
Inspectors undertook the following activities:
- reviewed publicly available information about small boat arrivals
- held a familiarisation call with the operational director from the Clandestine Channel Threat Command (CCTC), and detention and asylum intake staff on 1 December 2021
- met with a range of stakeholders
- formally notified the Home Office of the inspection on 6 December 2021, and submitted a request for evidence
- received and analysed 82 pieces of evidence
- undertook a review of 32 Home Office case files relating to migrants who arrived at Tug Haven in November 2021
- attended Tug Haven and the Western Jet Foil from 10 to 14 January 2022 and visited the Joint Control Room at the HM Coastguard Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Dover and Frontier House in Folkstone between 10 and 14 January 2022
- between 11 and 18 January 2022, undertook 16 virtual interviews with Home Office staff, from Executive Officer to Grade 5, from across the CCTC, National Asylum Intake Unit, Joint Debriefing Team, Criminal and Financial Investigations, Immigration Compliance Enforcement and Rapid Response Teams
- on 20 January 2022, held a feedback session, sharing initial thoughts and indicative findings from onsite activity, with the Senior Civil Servant responsible for the Illegal Migration Strategy Team and operational directors from within the CCTC