Hauliers Caught with Stoaways from Outside the UK Need Larger Penalties

A report has been conducted by Border Force that the penalty for hauliers who get caught with stowaways from outside of the UK is too low and should be raised.

Despite driver’s best efforts to not be a target for stowaways, it is not entirely preventable but John Vine the Chief Inspector of borders and immigration has said that the penalties given to drivers and the hauliers themselves are not consistent with the severity of the guidelines. Vine went on to say “None of the fines that were imposed in our file sample were remotely close to this maximum, even in cases where drivers and/or haulage operators had been fined previously.” The danger is that setting the penalties too low will not ensure drivers are as vigilant as they could be as the maximum fine is £2000.

On the other hand, Don Armour head of the international services at the FTA (Freight Transport Association) said it had been happy at the flexibility shown by Border Force in relation to fines and added “We will do our best along with the Road Haulage Association to ensure decent, professional companies are treated with discretion and flexibility.”

For more information visit on fines and penalties visit the Border Force website.

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