Penalties are increasing from 13 February where a driver is found to be carrying a clandestine migrant, while a new penalty will be introduced for failing to adequately secure a goods vehicle. The maximum penalty per migrant could be as high as £20,000. The reforms are part of the UK Government’s continued fight against illegal migration.
For members who are advised that their vehicle is being taken abroad, it is important to make sure that it can be evidenced that at the start of the hire all locks and security features were working. This will support the member’s defence if their vehicle is caught with a clandestine migrant. Members could be held jointly liable for penalties if the security features were found to not be working when the vehicle was handed over.
In addition, members may wish to consider reminding those customers renting vans or camper vans for travel abroad of the risks. Drivers should be offered guidance on vehicle security and reminded of their responsibility in ensuring that access points on the vehicle are locked and checked prior to arrival at the port.
Further guidance and details on the new scheme are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clandestine-entrant-civil-penalty-scheme
Members with any questions about the scheme should contact [email protected].
