CUSTOMS staff have never been under so much pressure. But chief officer Rob Prow said that a review currently being undertaken would show if more resources were needed.
‘There has never been so much pressure both from the point of view of combating drug trafficking and investigating money laundering,’ he said.
He has been asked to carry out the review by the Home Department to ensure that Customs and Immigration can enforce any legislation approved by the States. ‘The time is right for us to look at our staffing and also work with the police to make sure that there is no duplication of effort.’
He said he would not want to pre-judge the review, but the more legislation that was passed, the more likely it was that additional staff would be needed.
‘The review needs to be properly and scientifically conducted,’ he said.
‘But it is clear that there are great pressures on law enforcement, both to protect the borders and due to the increase in demands caused by serious and organised crime, particularly drug trafficking. In addition to this, the island has a large finance industry that brings an international obligation to ensure that we combat financial crime and money laundering and robustly confiscate the proceeds of these crimes.
‘All these activities are very resource- intensive and they require highly skilled officers, particularly when conducting covert operations.’
He said that he could not rule out that the review might find that more staff would be needed.
‘If the States keep passing more legislation, it is bound to create more pressure on already stretched forces.’
Mr Prow added that no new staff had been recruited for some time.
‘Our establishment has not changed in recent years, but the demands on us have increased in all areas of our work.’
Article posted on 14th May, 2007 - 12.00am
Loading ...
Most Commented: