Exit checks have come into force at airports, ports and international rail terminals in the UK.

It is hoped the checks will improve the British government’s understanding of who is leaving and staying in the country.

They will also help the police and security services track the movements of known criminals and terrorists.

The Home Office has been working closely with ports and carriers, who are collecting the exit check data from their customers, since 2013.

The government said it has helped design a system that takes into account the needs of businesses and the challenges faced in each port or on each route so that the checks have the least possible impact on customers.

This system clamps down on those who try to stay here with no right to do so

The minister for security and immigration, James Brokenshire, said: “It is right that we have an immigration system that is fair, that tackles illegal immigration and that clamps down on those who try to cheat the system by staying here when they have no right to do so.

“Exit checks will provide us with vital information that confirms a person’s exit from the UK.

“Port and travel operators are experts in their business and know their customers best, which is why we’ve supported them to design and trial the systems for collecting data in a way that will minimise the impact on customers.”

The UK already has one of the most comprehensive systems in the world for recording who travels across its borders.

Information in passports or travel documents will be collected for passengers leaving the country on scheduled commercial international air, sea and rail routes.

Exit checks data will help the authorities to target individuals who have overstayed their visas and are in the UK illegally.

They will also improve national security by helping the police and security services track movements of known or suspected criminals and terrorists, supporting the wider work across government and law enforcement agencies.

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