New border agency set to tackle criminal exploitation

A dedicated border agency is set to be established to prevent criminal exploitation and abuse of the Isle of Man's immigration system.

The government said the aim was to improve intelligence sharing, strengthen coordination across departments and provide "a stronger operational presence" at the ports.

Established in phases, with £1.2m allocated to initially create a border division, the agency itself is expected to be fully established by the end of the year.

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan said while inward migration would "continue to play an important role" in supporting the Manx economy, it needed to be "underpinned by robust controls".

"Securing our borders is essential to protecting the Island from abuse, exploitation and organised crime, while maintaining public confidence in our immigration system," he said.

The Manx government recently tightened its rules allowing migrant workers to take up employment on the island, bringing it in line with changes in the UK.

Security at the island's ports has also been strengthened in recent years as part of moves to combat organised crime gangs targeting the island and drug trafficking.

Those moves included increased information sharing between the Isle of Man Constabulary and the customs division, and the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition.

Cannan said establishment of the border agency was a "measured and responsible step" would "ensure the Isle of Man remains both open to those who come here for the right reasons and secure against those who seek to exploit our systems or harm vulnerable people".

The government said the new body would also support the island's role within the Common Travel Area – which includes the UK, Ireland and Channel Islands – and allow it work with other agencies including the UK Border Force.

Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.