Irregular Migrants In The SBAs - Initial Response PDF

**IRREGULAR MIGRANTS IN THE SBAs -- INITIAL RESPONSE** **TABLE OF DOCUMENT DETAILS** +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Title | | +===================================+============================...

**IRREGULAR MIGRANTS IN THE SBAs -- INITIAL RESPONSE** **TABLE OF DOCUMENT DETAILS** +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Title | | +===================================+===================================+ | Reference No | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Relevant Department or Group | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Ownership | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Document Author | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Approved by | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Approval Date | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Implementation Date | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | To be Reviewed Date | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Last Revised Date | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Quality Assured by | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Protective Marking | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Linked to other | | | | | | Standing Order | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Relevant Legislation | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Pages | | | | | | (including this page) | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ **TABLE OF CONTENTS** [Introduction](#Introduction) [Page 03](#Introduction) [Section 1](#section1) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ [Responsibility](#Responsibility) [Page 03](#Responsibility) [Section 2](#section2) [Police Action](#Police_Action) [Page 04](#Police_Action) [Section 3](#section4) Irregular [Migrants approaching SBA Coasts](#Dealing_with_immigrants) [Page 0](#Dealing_with_immigrants)5 [Section 4](#section4) [Irregular Migrants on SBA Coasts or arriving in large numbers through the TCAs](#section5) [Page 0](#Dealing_with_TMMs)6 [Section 5](#section5) [Conclusion](#Conclusion) [Page 0](#Conclusion)8 [Section 6](#section6) []{#section1.anchor}**1.** []{#Introduction.anchor}**Introduction** **There is a growing migration flow by sea from the Middle East and North Africa to Southern Europe. Most migrants seek illegal entry into the European Union in search of economic gain, and some are migrants from war torn countries. Being a member of the European Union, makes Cyprus an attractive destination. The SBAs is not part of the EU, thus not an attractive destination, but the possibility of Irregular Migrants (IM's) arriving on SBA shores by boat, or IM's arriving in large numbers from the boundary line with the TCAs, cannot be excluded.** []{#section2.anchor}**2.** []{#Responsibility.anchor}**Responsibility** Overall responsibility in relation to irregular migration rests with the Sovereign Base Areas Administration (SBAA) in conjunction with [[BFC\_OpOrd\_Op\_ORLET-BFC\_J5-(sharepoint.com)]](https://modgovuk.sharepoint.com/:w:/r/teams/1364/_layouts/15/Doc.aspx?sourcedoc=%7BFA04E813-007F-40F3-B34C-0DF20AF42616%7D&file=20200715-BFC_OpOrd_Op_ORLET_DRAFT_v0_5-BFC_J5-DRAFT-OS.docx&action=default&mobileredirect=true) Immigration will have the overall lead for the response to individual incidents through their responsibilities for both the control of vessels and migration into the SBAs. Due to lack of dedicated SBA Customs and Immigration Officers, first responders to an IM report will most likely be the SBA Police and military assets to undertake surveillance, initial response actions and interdiction operations. The absence of boundary controls between the SBAs and the Republic of Cyprus means that illegal migration is considered to be a joint problem. In most circumstances, the Republic will lead in dealing with potential IR's on the island and the SBAA will assist if required. Liaison will take place between the SBA Customs and Immigration Office and Immigration Department, SBA Police and CyPol, and with the Republic of Cyprus Government through the Sovereign Base Areas Administration and the British High Commission. **3.** []{#Police_Action.anchor}**Police Action** The Police will act in support of the Customs and Immigration and the SBAA and on their advice. However certain initial actions will have to be taken by the Police as being the first responders on location. The SBA Police generic initial response plan will be in line with **Operation ORLET-BFC Response plan** as follows: a. As the lead for the initial response, assess and prepare resources required to manage and secure a migrant arrival site. b. Conduct surveillance for any potential migrant arrivals using both land and, especially, maritime means. c. Liaise with CyPol on identification of any likely migrant approaches to the SBAs (particularly by sea); Be prepared to: i. Conduct initial reporting of any migrant arrivals. ii. Lead the initial response in order to contain migrants at SBA point of entry.  Establish GOLD command within the JOCC, SILVER command at the SBAP station or close to the arrival site, and BRONZE command at the site itself, to coordinate joint crisis response activity.  iii. Maintain the rule of law, particularly at the arrival site and later in the Temporary Migrant Transit Facility (TMTF). iv. Provide escorts to any migrant movements, principally the move of migrants from the arrival site to the TMTF but also assist in deportation movement of migrants. v. Lead on liaison with the Cyprus Police (CyPol) to coordinate any required mutual support (including escorting) in order to facilitate the movement of migrants. vi. Secure the TMTF in liaison with the SFP and, later, any contracted security providers. This initial Response plan deals with two distinct situations. These are: 1. Irregular migrants approaching the SBA coasts, and 2. Irregular migrants landing or appearing anywhere in the SBAs. []{#section4.anchor}**4.** []{#Dealing_with_immigrants.anchor}**Irregular Migrants approaching SBA Coasts** **In the event of information being received that a vessel carrying irregular migrants is approaching the SBA coasts our primary objective is to:** **The following action is to be taken immediately by the Duty Inspector or the Senior Officer on duty:** []{#section5.anchor}**5.** []{#Dealing_with_TMMs.anchor}**Irregular Migrants landing on SBA Coasts, or arriving in large numbers through the TCAs** The following immediate action is to be taken by the Duty Inspector or the Senior Officer on duty: Upon the instructions of SILVER, search parties may be formed. Efforts will focus in tracing all persons suspected to be irregular migrants as soon as possible. PSU's may be called to undertake this task if circumstances dictate. As stated above, the aim will be to trace all persons suspected to be irregular migrants and contain them at the landing area. The SBA Police in liaison with SBA Customs and Immigration, will proceed with an initial search of the IM's for any offensive weapons and/or any items that may be harmful to themselves and others and for any travelling/identity documentation. If a vessel or vehicle was used, efforts are to be made for the vessel or vehicle used by the IR's to be detained and seized as exhibit. Early enquiries are to be made at the scene to establish the identity of the captain of the vessel and/or other crew members or driver/owner of the vehicle. As soon as any person is identified as above, is/are to be arrested on suspicion of facilitating/aiding illegal migrants into the SBAs and are to be kept separately from the rest of the group. A decision on primacy as regards the investigation, is to be taken by Gold Command. Depending on the number of IR's, the Temporary Migrant Transit Facility (TMTF) at 16th Flight Dhekelia may be activated. The migrants are to be contained on location until arrangements are made through the JOCC for transportation to the TMTF. The Police will be responsible for the safe keeping and transportation of the IR's, which may require liaison with CyPol in case of transportation required from WSBA to ESBA. - If the number of IM's is under 10, the SBA Dhekelia ex-married quarters may be considered as a temporary holding facility. - If the number of IM's up to 20, Victoria Coach Park at Dhekelia may be considered as a temporary holding facility. - If the number of TMMs is over 20, the ex-16 Flight building at Dhekelia, which was re-designed and is currently the designated TMTF, will be considered as the ideal option. The decision for activation of the TMTF will be taken by SBA Customs & Immigration Gold Commander and the decision will be based on a number of parameters, including the number of IM's and a relevant risk assessment. SBA Police will provide security at the TMTF at the early stages of transportation and at a later stage will support with the deportation arrangements of migrants. []{#section6.anchor}**6.** []{#Conclusion.anchor}**Conclusion** This plan provides guidance only for the [initial action] that the SBA Police will be required to take. Any subsequent arrangements concerning accommodation, food, medical treatment, welfare of the migrants etc. will be the subject of decisions to be taken by the SBAA and under the lead of SBA Customs and Immigration. **Abbreviations and Glossary** **CyPol:** Cyprus Police **DOC:** Dhekelia Operations Centre **ESBA:** Eastern Sovereign Base Areas **EOC:** Episkopi Operations Centre **ICP:** Incident Control Point **JOCC:** Joint Operations Command Centre **PSU:** Public Safety Unit **SBAA:** Sovereign Base Areas Administration **SBA C&I:** Sovereign Base Areas Customs and Immigration **TCA:** Turkish Controlled Areas **TMM:** Trans-Mediterranean Migrants **HMP:** Her Majesty's Prison **TMTF:** Temporary Migrant Transit Facility