Dear Hull UK Border Force,
it is no secret that UKBF monitor and read our blog and forum so this post is for you personally.
We have received correspondence and audio recordings from our readers that show some of your officers and indeed one senior officer are still telling passengers that they cannot record interviews with yourselves.
ls this because your officers do not know your own regulations or procedures? ... or, is it something more dubious?
Please distribute the following to your officers and put a copy on your noticeboard.
Your own regulations/procedures regarding Excise & Civil Interviews states and l quote :-
“Note: If a member of the public chooses to use their own recording equipment, such as a mobile phone or video camera, to make an audio or video record of the interview, officers cannot prevent them from doing so. However, officers should try to dissuade individuals from making the record by explaining that a full and accurate record of the interview will be made and they will have the opportunity to read, agree or have comments added at the end of the record.
If an individual persists in making a recording, officers are not obliged to make any special amendments to their usual business processes or to the location of the interview in order to accommodate a recording. Similarly, officers are not obliged to have their image recorded and can politely ask that the use of recording equipment is directed away from them.”
l don't think you can get any clearer than that! Whilst we are on about this, why is HMRC/UKBA and UKBF redacting out this information when members of the public are putting in FOIs requesting info on Excise and Civil Interviews? (Complaint done to Information Commissioner) Anyone who reads this will think you have something to hide and are afraid of the truth. ls this so?
What can you possibly object to when all that is being recorded are the truth and facts? lf your officers are doing their job correctly ... what is the problem?
lt made us smile when one of your officers referred to us when interviewing a passenger as a 'site for smugglers'. That's like saying that solicitor sites are 'sites for criminals'. We supply legal facts and rights to the public regarding cross-border shopping. Documented facts may l add and virtually all from your own regulations and procedures.
Finally, to those officers at Hull that have no objections to recording (and there are quite a few) ... THANK YOU. You have our respect.
UPDATE
I know that some officers from Hull also cover such as Doncaster Airport. l sincerely hope you got rid of this idiot in charge.
Nice one SH
ReplyDeleteGarry
Excellent. Firm, factual and fair. And glad you thanked the good officers.
ReplyDeleteHello Anon,
ReplyDeleteAh..... That must be the reason that the Border Force does not know its own regulations then...
Hahaha! Yes, I know it's advertising spam. But even if their (sic) attached to the Harvard School of Medicine...
Delete...it's very surreal.
Sorry guys, spam got deleted :)
DeleteDon't apologise SH, the odd spam comment slips through.
ReplyDeleteBut it does now make Junican and me look slightly demented, poking fun at something which ISN'T THERE.
We hear voices too, you know. Lol.
Ukbf still at it at hull random stop and search no reason given when asked why I have been stopped . Got told by officer I can walk now or have interview Tuesday
ReplyDeleteGet in touch by e-mail and we'll help if we can. Please remember to record interview and be prepared for their questioning.
DeleteHi thanks for getting back but think as I walked cos officer said I would be wasting my time only had 3 kl of amber leaf but told him I was traveling alone and I wasn't as my friend was pulled also they were asking at passport control if I had tabac and told them I did silly me then they called down and ukbf were waiting for me I asked why I had been stopped and he would not give me a reason but in future I will have SOT with me and iPhone to record got stopped 5 years ago and they still bring this up so am I not allowed to shop in eu regards Robbie
DeleteWe always strongly advise that one should always be forthright about who you are travelling with. One can understand why people do not do this as it is perceived by many as to being a informer or the like but the fact remains it will be viewed as an intention to deceive. That alone is enough reason for UKBF to seize.
DeleteAre you also aware that you may now be looking at a duty/fine demand from HMRC in the region of £500?
No was not aware of a fine as never had interview and he told me you can walk now but it's ok for them to break the law as stop and search without a reason different law for them to use underhand tactics
DeleteUKBA are crooks , criminals , perjurers , and liars .
ReplyDeleteThey are scum .
I have a bullet for them all .
BANG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!