Body search at Harwich ferry terminal?

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SnowyOwl

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Hi everyone,
Last Saturday morning i got on the Stena ferry at Harwich for the Hook of Holland.
I am a female travelling alone in my motorhome.
Two customs officials, one male and the other a middle aged short blond woman had a quick look around the external and internal of the vehicle. No draws or lockers were inspected. Yet the woman gave me a body search. Why? Surely the motorhome should have been thoroughly searched first and then body search me if there was any concern.
I believe the body search was unnecessary. Has anyone had this experience? Is it the norm?
 
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We were body searched out of Poole last month when travelling on motorbikes. A check of topbox done as well.
I guess they must have an operational reason.
 
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A cursory frisk at Harwich the other week on the same ferry both me and the wife.
 
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We used the same ferry and were a bit concerned as we had just dropped off some distresss flares for disposal so would quite likely have tested positive on the explosives swab! Presumably the security checks are done based on where previous articles have been found we were lucky and not randomly selected for further investigation.
 
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Are you absolutely certain they were Border Force officials? (Customs no longer exist). It seems more likely they were Stena Line's own security officers who carry out random checks of passengers boarding their ferries.
 
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U.Toadifact said:
Are you absolutely certain they were Border Force officials? (Customs no longer exist). It seems more likely they were Stena Line's own security officers who carry out random checks of passengers boarding their ferries.
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Thank you. Appreciated.
 
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We came out of Plymouth on Monday night, motorbikes were getting the mirror on a pole underneath and one of the bikers got a pat down. Not seen that before, definitely border staff, not Brittany Ferries.
 
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At least we now know what to expect. I am one of those who often gets singled out for border searches, getting breathalysed at the roadside, and so on. It is a bloody nuisance.
 
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Are these sort of searches totally random or does border force have some sort of intelligence? I understand why they might need to do pat down searches but it worries me a bit if they are totally random. I would hope it isn’t like the police misuse of stop and search. When we have seen people being pulled over for full vehicle searches we have always assumed that they had some sort of intelligence indicating some factors to look out for.
 
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hja said:
Are these sort of searches totally random or does border force have some sort of intelligence? I understand why they might need to do pat down searches but it worries me a bit if they are totally random. I would hope it isn’t like the police misuse of stop and search. When we have seen people being pulled over for full vehicle searches we have always assumed that they had some sort of intelligence indicating some factors to look out for.
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You have a right to ask the purpose of the search and would have been told. As to the misuse of stop and search powers by the police, persons subject of the search have as right to ask why they are being searched and to be given a copy of the search record at the time which identifies the officer carrying out the search. I think you might find, if you did the research that those who complain about misuse of stop and search powers are mostly the people who, by their behaviour need to be searched, i.e. youths in high knife crime areas, or areas where known drug dealers ply their trade.

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Depending on the security level set by the Home Office a certain proportion of passengers must be searched. Can't remember the exact numbers but as the security threat increases so does the number of persons searched. Been this way since 1988.
 
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Body search is a lot more extensive and extreme than a quick frisk !
 
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MisterB said:
Body search is a lot more extensive and extreme than a quick frisk !
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He had gloves on just on case he was going deeper.
Asked me if I had guns explosive of weapons - as if I was going to say Yes
 
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The whole idea whilst it may well be unsettling is to carry out random searches as a deterrent

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hja said:
Are these sort of searches totally random or does border force have some sort of intelligence? I understand why they might need to do pat down searches but it worries me a bit if they are totally random. I would hope it isn’t like the police misuse of stop and search. When we have seen people being pulled over for full vehicle searches we have always assumed that they had some sort of intelligence indicating some factors to look out for.
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Perhaps they do but IF they only stopped and searched one vehicle, the crooks would know they were getting specific tip-offs and likely to be an informer in their ranks, this way hopefully they just think it's just routine and hard luck if they get caught? :unsure:
 
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Thank you all for your responses. If i get searched again, I may question why.
As an add on, when i used the eurotunnel with my motorhome for the first time last September, the security in Folkstone , asked me when I bought it and if it was mine!
I am sorry for the disbelievers, but I suspect I am targeted partly because I am a female pensioner traveling alone in a large newish motorhome.
C'est la vie 🤐
 
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SnowyOwl said:
Thank you all for your responses. If i get searched again, I may question why.
As an add on, when i used the eurotunnel with my motorhome for the first time last September, the security in Folkstone , asked me when I bought it and if it was mine!
I am sorry for the disbelievers, but I suspect I am targeted partly because I am a female pensioner traveling alone in a large newish motorhome.
C'est la vie 🤐
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I would guess that pensioners are often used to traffic illicit goods in the mistaken belief that they look more innocent and likely to get away without being stopped.

I’ve certainly heard of a few getting caught with stuff mainly drugs.
 
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Never understand why people worry about being searched, glad they’re doing their job. We seem to get stopped and searched quite regularly. We have a PVC, we joke that it’s because it’s small so they’re just making up the numbers.

I do remember the first time we flew into Cyprus many years ago and I was invited into a cubicle to be searched, I was a bit worried but fortunately my cavities were not searched. She was most unattractive and very glum:giggle:
 
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Oldrat said:
I would guess that pensioners are often used to traffic illicit goods in the mistaken belief that they look more innocent and likely to get away without being stopped.

I’ve certainly heard of a few getting caught with stuff mainly drugs.
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Oh dear! I had better consume the heroin, cocaine, marjuana...and the like quickly🤭 🙃
I take your point. It is unfortunate if that is the case.
 
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