Borders under threat say Tories

A new border agency was launched back in April

The government is failing to protect Britain's borders, according to a report commissioned by Conservative leader David Cameron.

The review by former Metropolitan police chief Lord Stevens said ministers lacked a clear strategy.

It pinpointed the attempted car bomb attack on Glasgow Airport in June 2007, where no armed police were on duty.

The government launched the UK Border Agency in April, to merge immigration, revenue and customs and visa services.

It has been successful in deporting foreign criminals, seizing drugs and dangerous weapons since its inception, a UK Border Agency spokesperson said.

Small airports

Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington's report, to be released later, said weaknesses in security coverage include the air cargo system, which was vulnerable to plots to place explosives on flights.

And it flagged up the number of small airfields within easy flying distance of the rest of Europe.

"The lack of a clear border security strategy has resulted in a situation where agencies are unaware of where their shared priorities lie," the report, called Border Protection Service for the UK: Policy Proposals, said.

"This has resulted in key duties not being carried out, resources not properly allocated, organisations not working together as they should and focus being placed on narrow border control issues, specific to each agency and not the overall border security picture of the UK."

The Conservatives said they would establish a dedicated border police force, with a chief constable reporting directly to the home secretary.

The creation of a new Border Agency was not enough, they said, as responsibilities were shared between it and the police.

'Hi-tech system'

But a UK Border Agency spokesperson said the coming Policing green paper was a chance to discuss border protection options, including an Association of Chief Police Officers' proposal to create a border force alongside the new agency.

"This is just one part of the biggest shake-up of Britain's border security for more than 40 years," he added.

"The Government is also in the process of locking people to one identity through the introduction of ID cards for foreign nationals, the fingerprinting of all visa applicants, and a hi-tech electronic borders system, enabling us to count people in and out of Britain."

A government agreement on shared intelligence with police has been reached in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In Scotland, the Scottish government is working with chief police officers and other agencies on a plan to counter terrorism.

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