Guidance

Report suspicious behaviour at the border: Project Falco

Published 30 July 2019

Project Falco is a Border Force led law enforcement operation tackling criminal and hostile activity at our borders, ports and rail locations. Hostile activity can include terrorist related activities and serious organised crime.

Project Falco also works closely with Project Kraken to make 11,000 miles of coastline, smaller ports, docks and marinas difficult places for criminals to operate.

Border Force, in close collaboration with port and rail operators, local security leads and businesses, carries out a range of unpredictable and community sensitive security measures.

Keeping you safe

Project Falco is one of the ways Border Force is working to deny, deter, and detect a wide range of hostile and criminal activities, building a network of vigilance at ports and rail locations as well as providing a reassuring presence for passengers and the local community.

Project Falco deployments involve officers, both uniformed and plain clothed, who are specially trained to spot signs that an individual may have criminal or hostile intent. They are supported by a bespoke and targeted protective security communications campaign and other specialist resources, such as dog teams, CCTV operators, scanners, and vehicle checkpoints.

There is no need to be concerned if you see additional checks or officers come and speak to you. Our officers are here to keep you safe, so feel free to talk to them if you want to find out more.

Suspicious activity

If you work, live nearby, or are travelling through one of our ports or rail locations you can play a vital role, by being vigilant and reporting anything that doesn’t look right to an officer or member of staff.

Suspicious activity could include:

  • people taking an interest in security or sensitive buildings
  • people being somewhere they shouldn’t be
  • nervous crew who shows a lack of experience
  • people making a large cash payment for equipment
  • unattended baggage or vehicles
  • people entering or exiting vehicles as stowaways

You’ll never get in trouble for reporting a genuine concern, and we’ll always take your report seriously – whether it’s an unattended item or someone acting suspiciously.

Report it, let’s sort it

Make a report online or call the Coastal Crime Line on 0800 011 3304 to report suspicious or unusual behaviour in or around our major sea, air or rail facilities.

You can also report any suspicious activity by scanning the QR code displayed on posters at port and rail locations.

Don’t leave it to someone else to report it.

You do not have to give your name when making a report.

In an emergency, always call 999.

Find out more

If you have any feedback or want to discuss Project Falco please email:

CBENatOps@homeoffice.gov.uk