Police and army to man border checkpoints
28.11.11
Police officers will man border control desks airports and ports during the public sector strike after just 90 minutes' training, the Telegraph reports. Officers who are on secondment to the UK Border Agency, will be drafted in when thousands walk out on Wednesday over public sector pension reforms. There are also reports that civil servants and the army will be drafted in too.
The newspaper reports that the Border Agency has already sought to recruit civil servants from across Whitehall as well as those based abroad to help man immigration desks and carry out passport checks. Now the police officers are being put on desks too.
The reports of police officers being deployed during the strike came as it emerged troops were also due to be on standby for airports on Wednesday. Damian Green, immigration minister, said soldiers could be called in to support temporary staff at checkpoints.
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