New passport checks at UK ports and borders

Passport checks on all travellers leaving Britain have been introduced amid fears of long queues for departing passengers.

The exit checks will particularly effect cross-Channel and Channel Tunneltravellers, with passengers arriving at the port of Dover having to have theirpassports scanned.

However, in an attempt to minimise any possible disruption most of the exit checks are being introduced gradually. For the first month all passports will be scanned but only 25% of the passport holders will have their details verified to ensure they are genuine. After a month, there will be a move to 50% verification and by the middle of June a figure of 100% verification will be introduced.

Eurotunnel says it's ready for the new rules and will have them in full from today.

As well as at sea ports, the checks are also being introduced at airports butas airlines will be providing advance passenger information from an individual's travel documents, air passengers will not notice the new system in action.

The Home Office has said the exit checks will improve the Government'sunderstanding of who is leaving the UK and create a much clearer picture of who is staying in the country when they have no right to be here. They will also help the police and security services track the movements ofknown criminals and terrorists.