The clandestine entrant civil scheme requires operators to have effective preventative systems in place, which includes having a checking process in place that must be done at the point of departure AND after each stop enroute back to base. This record-keeping and being able to show an audit trail to Border Force, along with evidencing driver training, is imperative.
This is where Aquarius can help
Border Force has recently released an updated downloadable checklist, which provides a great starting template for drivers to work from when recording checks. For coaches, for example it includes checking overhead luggage racks and under the seats.
For 2024, Aquarius has digitised the Border Force’s check list and created a dedicated new Clandestine Check on the Aquarius App:
- Assists drivers in effectively checking the security of their vehicle and trailer
- The pre-programmed Border Force checklist can also be fully customised
- Provides a less-administrative and a simpler way for drivers to record vehicle checks on their mobile device
- Enables the driver to log photographic evidence against each check, with a date/ time stamp and GPS location. The details of the checks can be transmitted back to base where the data can be logged and investigated if needed
- Protects drivers, and an added safety feature is a SOS Button
- Assists an operator in becoming a member of The Border Force Civil Penalty Accreditation Scheme
- Links with Document Manager on the same Aquarius App, which provides a two-way electronic communication between the operator and the driver for such items as date-stamped policy updates and training materials.
Think of it like a Driver Defect Check on your Aquarius App – it uses the same principle, with the functionality providing a digital way to record vehicle security and create an audit trail if evidence of clandestine activity or vehicle security was questioned by Border Force.
This record of evidence is vital. When Border Force are considering the level of penalty to be imposed, consideration will be given to the records a driver is able to produce of their checks – other considerations include if this is an operator’s first incident, the financial circumstances of the driver and company, and whether the operator is a member of the Civil Penalty Accreditation Scheme.
Be Vigilant this Summer – Free Webinar
In summary, after seeing waves of clandestine-related fines being issued over the last 12 months, drivers and operators must start putting robust preventative systems in place, if only for self-financial reasons.
With the summer approaching too, which means longer queues and waiting times at the docks, and the UEFA EURO 2024 and the Paris Olympics predicted to increase traffic levels further, operators are being urged to make their drivers be vigilant to the risk of clandestine entrants when travelling to, and waiting at, the Port.
To help, Laura Hadzik (Partner and Head of Commercial Road Transport at JMW Solicitors LLP) and Marc Caplin (Compliance Advisor at Aquarius) will be hosting a free webinar on the 2nd of July when they will take you through:
- What an effective preventative clandestine system looks like,
- Aquarius’ new ‘Clandestine Entrants Checks’ app,
- What you should do if you do get a penalty, and
- Membership of the Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Accreditation Scheme
Register for your free place here >>>>>>
For further details on the Aquarius App and its Clandestine Check functionality, you can also contact the team on 0330 333 8789 or email sales@aquariusit.com
