Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Digital Devices: Search Powers at the UK Border

05 December 2023 · 0 other contributors · 2,405 words

Opened by Pauline Latham Con Mid Derbyshire

Responding minister: Laura Farris

Policing & ResourcesCrime & Law EnforcementChildren & Families

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Pauline Latham raised concerns about digital devices: search powers at the uk border in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • The UK has 835,000 individuals who represent a sexual risk to children.
  • Border Force lacks statutory power to search digital devices for child sexual abuse materials due to outdated 1979 legislation.
  • The hon. Member for Mid Derbyshire requests granting Border Force power to search digital devices at borders for prohibited goods.

Key requests to Government

I am asking the Government to grant Border Force the power to search digital devices for prohibited goods such as child sexual abuse and exploitation materials. Additionally, I propose a new criminal offence of obstruction where individuals refuse to co-operate with reasonable digital searches by Border Force. The hon. Member for Mid Derbyshire requests that the Government review and amend legislation to grant Border Force the power to search digital devices at the border when there is reasonable suspicion of criminal activity related to child sexual abuse.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Pauline Latham Con Mid Derbyshire

The UK has 835,000 individuals who represent a sexual risk to children. The proliferation of online child sexual abuse material poses an increasing threat to children. Currently, Border Force lacks the statutory power to search digital devices for such materials due to outdated legislation from 1979 that does not accommodate modern technology like smartphones and tablets. This leaves potential predators undetected at entry points, despite evidence suggesting they may be carrying illegal child abuse material. The hon. Member for Mid Derbyshire is concerned about the gap in law enforcement's ability to search digital devices of individuals entering or leaving the UK, which allows potential perpetrators of child sexual abuse to avoid detection and prosecution. She cites statistics from the Office for National Statistics that estimate 7.5% of children in England and Wales will experience some form of sexual abuse before age 16, equivalent to over 3 million people. Additionally, she highlights the rapid increase in online child sexual abuse imagery involving seven to ten-year-olds, which has more than doubled since 2010.

Government Response

Laura Farris

The Minister acknowledges the hon. Member for Mid Derbyshire's concerns about the current legal limitations on Border Force search powers and commits to discussing this issue with ministerial colleagues. The Government recognises the scale of child sexual abuse, noting that up to 7.5% of children in England and Wales may experience it before age 16, equating to over 3 million individuals. She highlights the rapid growth in online child sexual abuse imagery involving seven to ten-year-olds since 2010. The Minister emphasises the Government's commitment to tackling child sexual exploitation through legislative measures such as the Online Safety Act 2023 and ongoing efforts with Ofcom and the National Crime Agency to implement these new legal duties. She notes that Border Force can search baggage for obscene or indecent materials but lacks the power to search digital devices, which she promises to discuss further with Ministers.

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