MINISTERS were accused yesterday of leaving Britain’s borders wide open to drug smugglers, criminal gangs and terrorists because too few customs officers operate at ports and airports.

The Government’s anti- terror watchdog criticised a new method of border control that has left some of the busiest airports unmanned in a switch to mobile patrols.

Lord Carlile of Berriew, QC, said that customs officers were “too thinly spread” and was supported by police chiefs voicing private concerns that ports of entry were left unprotected.

His comments were a further blow to the Government’s law and order policies, following controversies over sentencing powers for dangerous offenders, the running of the immigration service and the failure to deport foreign criminals.

Lord Carlile said in his annual report on the operation of the Terrorism Act 2000 that Britain’s borders were inadequately policed, customs officers were spread too thinly and there was too little deterrent to terrorists and other criminal gangs plotting to enter the UK.

Many customs desks at large ports and airports are no longer permanently staffed by customs officers as they have been transferred to mobile teams that move around the country.

Lord Carlile said that providing a telephone with a notice to call customs officials when no officers were on duty was an inadequate defence against terrorists and organised criminals.

Special branch officers also expressed alarm at ports being left without cover.

A senior police officer told The Times: “The service is unhappy about the approach of Customs. You can have a major port with no coverage because they are mounting operations up the coast. It leaves gaps and gateways completely open.”

Since the Customs started deploying officers in mobile teams rather than permanently manning ports, criticism has mounted that at some ports a customs officer has become a “only an occasional and prized sight,” Lord Carlile said.

In some ports, including Swansea, Pembroke, Falmouth, and Plymouth, there is no permanent scrutiny of travellers entering the UK, according to a public service trade union.

Lord Carlile said: “I am talking about bigger ports. The work done around the small ports is quite good.”

He issued his warning after being astonished when he arrived at Heathrow from a trip to South Asia in March and found no customs officers when he tried to pay duty on presents for his family.

Times Recommends

• What makes the perfect mum?
• To keep me stress-free, no more awareness days, please
• What do lottery winners buy?