Security screening and search process

This page explains the security screening process you will follow when visiting one of our offices.

When you visit a UK Border Agency office you must consent to the security screening process. This is a legal condition of access to the building and any customer who refuses to be searched, can lawfully be denied entry.

Why do we search customers?

Public callers do not necessarily present a high security risk, but there have been regular incidents where visitors have acted aggressively towards staff and others, or attempted to harm themselves and others. We will all retain items if we believe they could be used to harm others or property. Normally, these items will be returned to you as you leave our premises. We work closely with the police to tackle knife crime and we will contact the police to deal with any items that could be used as an offensive weapon.

Our screening process includes a search of all visitors to provide a safe environment for all of our customers. This prevents potentially dangerous materials or sharp articles from being used as weapons at an agency office.

Prohibited items

You can help us maintain safety by not bringing the following items to your appointment:

Non classified items

• scissors;
• manicure sets;
• small or large pen knifes (keyring type);
• any pointed or bladed items (kitchen cutlery or knitting needles);
• aerosols;
• perfume or aftershave bottles;
• non descriptive liquids; and
• glass bottles or containers.

If you do bring any of these items by mistake, they will be kept by the security staff and returned when you are ready to leave the building. We use a ticket system and it will be your responsibility to collect your item before leaving the building.

The items listed below should also not be brought to your appointment. If the security staff find any of the items below, the item will be retained and the police will be called.

Classified Items (prohibited offensive weapons)

• lock knives;
• butterfly knifes;
• knifes with blades longer than 3.5 inches;
• batons;
• numchucks or throwing stars; and
• pepper spray or CS gas (classed as an instant arrestable offence under the 1968 Firearms Act).

If you arrive and realise you have prohibited item with you, please declare it to the security team to speed up the search procedure.

During 2012, we retained 205,153 prohibited items, 53 of these were prohibited offensive weapons and were confiscated.

The search process

When you enter the screening area, you will be asked:

• to remove your outdoor coat or jacket, belt and watch and empty your pockets into the trays provided;
• to place all bags and luggage onto the table, all baggage will either be hand searched or passed through a bag x-ray machine and then hand searched; and
• to walk through an arch scanner, if the arch scanner alarm sounds, you will be searched using a handheld search wand, which is held a few inches away from your body.

If any prohibited items are found during the search, you will be handed a ticket. If the item is not classified or offensive, you can reclaim it when you are ready to leave the building. During the search procedure, no members of the security team will touch you or need to place hands on you, therefore a same gender search policy does not apply.

You can ask to speak to a security manager if you have any concerns or require a private area to remove any items. If an area is available, we will accommodate this request.

We will attempt to carry out the search as quickly as possible and you can help us by listening carefully to any instructions given by the security team.