TTG – Topics – French border guards deployed in Dover to speed up checks

Under the EU’s Entry-Exit System (EES), which comes into force in November after long delays, travellers crossing the EU’s external borders, for example with the UK, will have to register their details at the EU border and provide biometric data.

The Interior Ministry will introduce legislation to allow French border staff to operate within an extended control zone at Dover, allowing checks to be carried out more quickly.

While processing is expected to take no longer than five minutes, concerns have been raised that people could be left waiting for hours during peak times.

About 24 checkpoints for coaches will be placed on the western quays. However, a change in the law is needed to allow the armed French agents to operate there.

Home Minister Seema Malhotra will introduce a statutory instrument in Parliament on Monday (July 29) to allow French border officials to operate in an extended zone at the port of Dover, the BBC defeated.

With this, the Ministry of the Interior commits to working with the French government, local authorities and companies to streamline EU border controls at the port.