UK mulls 35,000-strong British border police force to tackle terrorists, gangsters
1 Jul 2008, 1411 Hrs

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London, July 1 (ANI): A super-force of border cops could be formed to protect Britain from terrorist attacks and gangsters, according to a report.

The study, commissioned by David Cameron, warns that Britain's borders are insufficiently protected and that militants can enter the country undetected.

In the leaked report, Prime Minister Gordon Brown's security expert Lord Stevens has envisaged a 35,000-strong Border Protection Service to combine the current authorities, dedicated to dealing with terrorism, organised crime, people trafficking, illegal immigration and fraud.

"The lack of a clear border security strategy has resulted in a situation where agencies are unaware of where their shared priorities lie," he said in the report.

The 35,000-strong Border Protection Service would be armed and ready to quiz immigrants.

It is feared if Turkey joins the EU, it will mean Britain effectively shares borders with its terror-risk neighbours Iran, Iraq and Syria.

Lord Stevens suggested combining of border agencies into one super-force -- the BPS. He will also call on MPs to strengthen anti-terror laws to give them far-reaching powers of arrest and surveillance.

If approved, the BPS mission statement will be to uphold "strong borders which allow movement of people and goods but protect us from those who may cause us harm", the Mirror reported. (ANI)