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Home Office

Answer

Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of passports in circulation which are (a) forged and (b) modified in order to serve as false identification. [180164] Mr. Browne: Given the nature of the problem it is difficult to estimate with any degree of accuracy how many false passports (or other travel documents in lieu of passports) of British or foreign origin are in circulation either in the UK or globally. The fraudulent use of travel documentation (including forged or counterfeit visas) is a serious global problem. The Immigration and Nationality Directorate's National Document Fraud Unit (NDFU) has the lead role in monitoring and combating this. The NDFU is recognised both at home and abroad as a leader in this field and works closely with its counterparts in other countries to counter this type of fraud. The NDFU has a comprehensive brief of conducting expert forensic level examinations of suspect documents, in delivering training programmes for the Immigration Service and other agencies in document fraud detection and in collation and dissemination of information about suspect documents and types of document abuse. Of the 7,985 abused travel documents of all nationalities detected at UK arrival controls in 2003, forged or altered documents represented 52 per cent. of the total. Completely counterfeit documents amounted to 15 per cent. whereas 27 per cent. of the total were in the hands of impostors. 724 abused documents were encountered in- country by immigration enforcement officers and a further 837 forged, counterfeit or fraudulently obtained documents were submitted to the Home Office with requests for leave to remain. The problem of identity fraud within the United Kingdom involving documents from all countries is one which affects not just the Home Office. For example, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency referred 1,071 suspect travel documents to the NDFU during 2003 of which 74 per cent. were found to be false or to contain false endorsements. Local offices of the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) referred 1,410 documents to that department's National Identity Fraud Unit of which 541 were found to be false. DWP referred 114 documents to the National Document Fraud Unit for an expert opinion. During the year 33,551 passengers were denied boarding by airlines (often after reference to members of the UK Airline Liaison Officer network). Many of these decisions were because the passengers held suspect documentation. The NDFU makes a significant contribution to work being carried out internationally in the EU, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and G8 to disrupt the work of forgers by enhancement of international security safeguards and standards, including those for biometrics, for travel documents and their issuing processes. It also works closely with travel document issuing agencies in order to combat identity fraud and facilitate the operation of border controls.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

180164; 423 c23-4W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Fraud Forgery Proof of identity Passports Immigration and Nationality Directorate

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk