Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2018 to Question 128806, whether her Department plans to consult non-public sector bodies on the potential merits of establishing a Special Volunteer force within Border Force.
Formal discussions have taken place with Norfolk Police Constabulary, National Crime Agency and Maritime Coastguard Agency, Informal discussions have included Essex & Kent Police Force and Metropolitan Police Force.
There are no current plans to consult non public sector bodies. Currently a proposal regarding the pilot is being prepared for discussion with Senior Border Force Officials to consider if the pilot scheme will proceed at this time.
The purpose of a small pilot potentially being held will be to assess the benefit on existing activities.