Written question asked by Jimmy Wray (Labour) on Monday, 28 April 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 7 May 2003. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Wednesday, 7 May 2003 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many child protection officers are stationed at UK ports and airports; what plans he has to increase these numbers; and what plans he has to create a permanent child protection unit.

Answer: Mr. Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many child protection officers are stationed at UK ports and airports; what plans he has to increase these numbers; and what plans he has to create a permanent child protection unit. [110782] Hilary Benn: Joint work is underway between agencies at principal entry points to identify children at risk. A Child Protection Pilot Project was launched on 10 March 2003 at Heathrow. This is a joint operation between the Metropolitan police and the immigration service involving one child protection officer working closely with immigration officers. The pilot will be rolled out nationally if it proves successful. In addition to this, intake teams have been piloted at Dover as joint initiatives between immigration service and social services. These will be extended to other United Kingdom ports, and Croydon and Solihull Asylum Screening Units. Kent Police have also seconded one child protection trained officer (female) to the Joint IS/Police Debriefing Team based in Dover. It is hoped that this will shortly be increased to two permanent officers.

Secondary information