Latest figures from the Home Office show that the number of illegal immigrants found on board UK-bound vehicles has recently risen.

FTA reminds everyone that current regulations can result in fines of up to £4,000 in respect of every single stowaway found on board and that great care must continually be taken to avoid the carriage of these unwanted illegal passengers.

FTA says that international transport fleets must operate systematic checks on the vehicle and load in line with the industry Code of Practice. In the event of being unable to detect stowaways, evidence of an efficient system constitutes mitigating evidence capable of reducing or cancelling prospective fines.

The Home Office Immigration and Nationality Directorate has announced the introduction of the Civil Penalty Accreditation Scheme.

This is intended to assist fleet operators who have already introduced systems to prevent or significantly reduce the number of illegal immigrants stowing away on their vehicles. It is a completely voluntary scheme.

FTA's Head of International Service, Don Armour said, "FTA believes that those international operators who have already introduced driver check sheets and other documentation to prove that they are actively doing all that is reasonably possible and have based their system on the previously published Code of Practice will find little that is new in the Home Office requirements.

"However, it must be of benefit to be on the Home Office Accreditation List in the event that clandestines are detected on board a vehicle and the Home Office states that those companies on the list will be provided with feedback on the performance of their system, which may reveal possible loopholes."

An application form to join the scheme can be found on the website www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk