A summary of progress and ongoing work to keep our Island secure has been published.
The original Securing Our Island strategy was issued in September 2024. Now the Department of Home Affairs has outlined the advances that have been achieved by it and other agencies since then.
It is part of the DHA's commitment to the Island Plan’s objective of ‘building great communities’.
A number of objectives have been achieved:
- Ports policing has been transferred to the Isle of Man Constabulary to enable closer working between law enforcement agencies
- Automatic Number Plate Recognition legislation has been passed
- Drug dogs are now in place for all main sea and air arrivals
- Several thousand pounds of cash and thousands of pounds-worth of drugs have already been recovered after the introduction of proactive scanning and monitoring of inbound and outbound post
- Law enforcement agencies have routine access to passenger manifest data
- Proceeds of Crime legislation is being used to seize cash, property and assets from criminals
- The Isle of Man Steam Packet has ceased accepting cash as payment for travel
The strategy is progressing in a number of areas:
- Work is nearing completion to allow Customs and Immigration officers to have access to police systems
- A Bill to enable the use of live facial recognition by the police is being prepared for consultation before entering the House of Keys
- Immigration processes are being strengthened
As part of the strategy, the Department has outlined a number of further objectives for the future:
- Agencies will engage with the airlines to work towards the routine automated collection of passenger data
- Work will be undertaken with the UK to improve access to sea and air travel information
- More scrutiny of arrivals and departures in private aircraft and boats is planned
Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Jane Poole-Wilson MHK said:
‘We have completed a number of objectives and we have progressed many more, demonstrating continued success in the journey towards our goals as set out in the Securing Our Island Strategy.
‘Our strategy must continue to be supported by action. Work in a number of areas is continuing, and we have also identified other areas of work, including further data sharing on Island and with the UK.
‘In addition, it is important to note that this strategy links in with challenges we face and are addressing, including immigration policies and operation.
‘I would like to take this opportunity to thank the various agencies involved in the delivery of this strategy, which continues to be vital in order to keep our Island safe.’
