Detection Avoidance in UK Border Immigration Crime

Abstract

As record uncontrolled migration takes place across the world driven by war and other factors, border related immigration crime has soared. In the UK's case, criminal human trafficking gangs and other individuals employ a range of detection avoidance measures to achieve their aim of moving people or themselves across sea, land, and national borders. Such crime is problematic because it is often a mere precursor to other intended crimes; for example, engaging in modern slavery practices or furthering terrorism. A wide range of detection avoidance methods may be used to meet criminal objectives, including disguise of identity as well as identity document or technology abandonment and destruction. The variable nature of these methods has meant the Government's strategy has invoked a plethora of countermeasures in response. Drawing also on approaches in other countries, this chapter analyses the response by public authorities in the UK to this persistent and growing issue.