We would be happy to advise anyone who has been a victim of this abuse of power. A benefits agency spokeswoman said the tactic was extremely successful. The police officer will stop the vehicles and our fraud officers will ask the people for their name, national insurance number and any benefits they are claiming. This year, all forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will take part in the exercise with an unprecedented amount of support from other government agencies. While they are in that check then people like the benefits agency will speak to the occupants.
Nobody can make anybody speak to the benefits agency.
Police argue that the presence of immigration, customs and other officials is essential to the efficiency of the operation. Police officers finding evidence of other criminal activity are obliged to act, and if illegal immigrants or contraband good are found in a vehicles then other agencies can be quickly called in while police continue with safety checks. It is hoped that all drivers who are stoped can be dealt with within half an hour. Random Mermaid checks are carried out by local forces at different times of the year. On one occasion, a rocket launcher and ammunition were recovered.