Question
Can the Chief Constable clarify in specific detail what role, if any, the PSNI takes in Immigration Enforcement raids on workplaces and businesses in Northern Ireland undertaken by the Home Office? In addition, does a Memorandum of Understanding or other document exist between the PSNI and Home Office in this area. If so, could PSNI supply the relevant document(s).
Answer
PSNI take no direct involvement in respect to immigration enforcement regarding Home Office operations conducted on businesses or workplaces.
As with any enforcement partner, requests can be made for police attendance in respect to preventing a breach of the peace, each of these requests are considered within the individual context in which they are made and against the statutory responsibilities of the PSNI. If police attend any location in order to prevent a breach of the peace this remains their primary role, with no expectation that wider enforcement activity will be conducted by police officers in attendance.
It is important to note that the Home Office Immigration Enforcement are their own branch of law enforcement and are not required to engage PSNI assistance in their operations, indeed police have no involvement in many of these operations.
Les Allamby