§ Mr. HendryTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many coaches returning from trips abroad have been stopped by Customs and Excise, in the past year for searches to be carried out; and what locations away from ports have been used for such searches. [62088]
§ John HealeyThe information is not available in the format requested. Customs keep records on search of person and aggregate data on seizures but do not routinely record every instance in which an officer stops a person or vehicle.
The majority of Customs anti-smuggling searches of international traffic take place at the port, on Port Authority premises. Customs do, on occasions, undertake intelligence-led anti-smuggling work away from the ports (eg intercepting targets on motorways) usually working with the police.