Following delays and issues with the government’s new Border Target Operating Model, plus reports of significant delays at Border Control Posts (BCPs) across the country, Abloy UK is urging ports to ensure facilitates are equipped with effective access control systems to minimise further disruption and ensure smooth operations.
The Border Target Operating Model sets out a new approach to security controls and sanitary and phytosanitary controls (applying to imports of live animals, animal products, plants and plants products) at the border. It outlines how controls will be simplified and digitised and the government’s ambition for the UK’s new Single Trade Window.
BCPs play in a key role in this – they are inspection posts designated and approved in line with legislation for carrying out checks on animals, animal products and products of non-animal origin being imported from non-EU countries.
These highly secure BCPs are subdivided into multiple areas by roller shutters, with some housing laboratories for checking food products. Items are delivered by lorries that reverse into the loading bay, and the trailer is sealed to minimise the risk of contamination.
There are a considerable number of multiple users at each BCP, including border force, DEFRA, health inspectors, and contractors, so it is important users only have access to the areas they are permitted, from both a security and a health and safety perspective. With this in mind, it is imperative for BCPs to have a secure and effective access control system that can also be flexible to meet evolving requirements.
ABP Humber selected the PROTEC2 CLIQ solution from Abloy UK to help manage access at its BCP. The system offers flexible access permissions, enabling keys to be programmed to help restrict user access and ensure only authorised staff enter permitted areas.
Key access can also be linked to training and competencies to ensure only suitably qualified staff enter restricted areas. This tight yet flexible key control allows the facility to revise access rights should keys be lost, with no need to re key the system. Plus, having fewer keys to manage makes control easier.
Audit trail data provides timely information on key use, detailing when locks have been opened and closed to help access management and enable exception reporting, forwarding information to the relevant authorities.
PROTEC2 CLIQ keys are extremely difficult to copy, and the system is compliant to BS EN 12320 and LPS 1175. This offers peace mind that proven locking solutions are being deployed in high secure areas.
David Rock, CNI Team (Transport Sector) at Abloy UK, said: “We know BCPs have been under scrutiny recently, with a number of complex challenges to be navigated to ensure security and operational efficiency.
“Abloy is available as a trusted advisor for facilities managers of ports and BCPs, to help specify suitable access control systems to meet the requirements of the Border Target Operating Model while ensuring high security, compliance to British standards, and seamless operations.”