§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the future of the HM Customs Unit based at Shoreham Harbour. [141094]
§ John HealeyUK criminality is becoming ever more sophisticated and organised. To meet these threats Customs need to change tactics and respond by operating more flexibly and organising and targeting their law enforcement activity to respond to the greatest risks.
The activities carried out by Customs staff based in Shoreham are no longer concentrated in and around the locality. More often the operational teams will be working together with colleagues from larger principal offices dealing with criminals who operate on a UK-wide scale. Customs have therefore outlined proposals to consider bringing together posts from Shoreham with other Law Enforcement staff in larger centralised locations by 2006.
I am informed that discussions with local staff affected by these proposals and with the departmental trade union will take place before any final decisions are taken.