Can the Chief Constable advise on whether Operation Nexus is currently at any capacity in Northern Ireland and if so whether it has been assessed as being compatible with Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights?
Operation Nexus is a National initiative, the overarching aim of which is to improve the management of Foreign Nationals and Foreign National Offenders (FNOs) with a focus on strengthening cross-organisational working between Home Office Immigration Enforcement (HOIE) and Police.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland introduced Operation Nexus towards the end of the 2015.
Whilst the National Nexus Model has two strands to it (Nexus Custody & Nexus High Harm), PSNI only work within the High Harm strand. In practice, this means that PSNI’s Operation Nexus Team review and assess all custody cases and refer to HOIE when an individual meets the criteria for deportation. This eligibility criteria includes foreign convictions.
Since PSNI joined Operation Nexus, in 2015, 3922 Foreign National Offenders have been reviewed against the operation criteria, with 195 individuals referred to Home Office Immigration Enforcement for assessment and consideration of potential enforcement action.
Article 5 of the European Convention provides for engagement with the right to liberty and security in a range of circumstances, including where a person is effecting an unauthorised entry into the country or where action with a view to deportation or extradition is being taken. PSNI and Home Office Immigration take every step to ensure that their actions do not infringe the rights of individuals. Considerations will often be on a case-by-case basis and will be informed by a range of factors, including case law.
Dolores Kelly - SDLP