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Bailiwick Law Enforcement has been granted additional powers to stop and search people, goods and transport at the Guernsey’s borders, in an effort to bring the island’s terrorism legislation in line with the UK.
A broader review of Guernsey’s laws is currently underway, but the policy letter brought forward immediate ‘operational changes’ that were identified as a priority by BLE.
“I have been given an absolute assurance from Law Enforcement that they fully acknowledge that proportionality is at the core of this legislation, and the powers it gives officers,” said Home Affairs President Rob Prow. “The stringent safeguards in place will be adhered to.”
While the policy letter was the work of the previous Home Affairs Committee, Deputy Prow said that it was supported unanimously by the new committee during their first meeting. Deputy John Gollop questioned the necessity of the changes during a short debate, sharing tales of his own run-ins with Guernsey’s border officers.
“When I was going back and forth from University, I used to get stopped by officials who thought I was a suspicious character, and wanted me to sign a terrorism declaration as if I was connected to, at that time, Ireland,” he said.
Pictured: Deputy John Gollop did not seem convinced that the policy letter proposed "proportionate" changes that are "appropriate" for Guernsey - but it was passed unanimously at the end of debate.
“Forty years ago, we had rigorous border and security people, we always have. So I wonder, is all of this legislation exactly necessary? And if it is, why haven’t we gotten on with it sooner?”
In response, Deputy Prow pointed out that the broader review of the legislation has been underway "for some time".
“Some of the pressures brought about by Covid and Brexit put a huge burden on our law officers and professionals,” he said. “That is a fact that we can’t avoid, but there is a commitment, we have set out in the policy letter what needs to be done.
“I can assure this Assembly that, working with the Law Officers of the Crown, we will bring back the necessary legislation as soon as we possibly can.”
Click HERE to read more about the changes being made by this policy letter.
Pictured Top: Deputy Rob Prow, President of the Committee for Home Affairs.
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