Read more in Holyhead

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair, and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration, and passports.

Border Force is a law enforcement arm of the Home Office. We are responsible for handling the UK border control by implementing immigration and customs regulations and working with the wider Home Office on counter terrorism, organised crime, modern slavery, and trafficking. Learn more on the Border Force careers page.

As a Border Force Officer based in Holyhead, the second busiest roll-on-roll off cargo port in the UK and the principal crossing from North Wales and Northern England to Ireland, you will have the opportunity to be involved in the full remit of Border Force’s operational law enforcement activities. Due to high volumes of freight, foot and car passenger arrivals our teams cover immigration, customs, international trade and radionuclide screening.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a team that secures the UK Border, safeguards vulnerable people and makes a real difference to everyday life. Our work is varied and rewarding with the opportunity to learn new skills and develop expert knowledge.

As a Border Force Officer, you will be at the frontline of our operation to maintain the security of the UK border. Border security includes a wide range of systems that function in tandem to facilitate a world class border the public expects. Our intention is to enable the flow of passengers and goods quickly and effectively through the Primary Control entry points, while refusing entry to the UK when appropriate and required. This includes checking passengers to ensure travel and trade is optimal whilst ensuring our legal duties towards Customs, Freight, Immigration and Safeguarding are always upheld.

Our operational activity is intelligence-driven with searches for prohibited, counterfeit or restricted goods (such as drugs, firearms, weapons, cash, tobacco, and alcohol) as well as people of interest.

Key Responsibilities:

As a Border Force Officer, you may be involved in the following types of activity:

• Operating immigration and customs controls at points of entry to the UK, checking passengers have the correct permissions and documentation to enter.
• Identifying vulnerable adults and children, prioritising their safety and welfare and referring to the appropriate agencies.
• Interviewing passengers, undertaking investigations, and making decisions on whether they qualify for entry to the UK or fall to be refused under the immigration rules.
• Identifying and searching people, goods, and vehicles to establish if a customs offence has been committed.
• Using law enforcement powers to arrest people involved in border offences, preserving evidence, managing the detention of individuals, and liaising with other law enforcement partners.
• You will be responsible for the movement and clearance of imported and exported goods across a range of International Trade/Customs regimes and undertake post-detection action in respect of any irregularities identified.

Based at a key strategic location, your role will provide regular variety, and you will be involved in delivering some of Border Force’s key priorities, such as counter terrorism, tackling human trafficking and safeguarding the vulnerable. Our work can be difficult at times, but you will always have the support of a team, not just at the start but throughout your career with Border Force.

For more information about working for Border Force and to hear from some of our colleagues, please visit our careers website atBorder Force - Home Office Careers.

Border Force North Region

The port of Holyhead is with Border Force North Region, which covers a large geographical area; it spans four countries, encompasses 78 ports and has responsibility for the land boundary between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and the UK’s busiest Common Travel Area route between Dublin and Holyhead. In the region there are 17 major airports, including the third largest in the UK in Manchester, eight large maritime ports, and the most dispersed general maritime and general aviation sites in the UK.

Working Pattern

Successful candidates will need to be able to attend for all shifts, which can be up to 12 hours in duration and include early starts, late night finishes and overnight shifts. Rosters are pre-planned and cover weekdays, weekends and public holidays to meet the 24/7 operational demands of the role. Shifts may be outside of public transport operating hours.

You must be at least 18 years of age at the time of submitting your application.You will be required to work between 22.00 and 06.00, so this is a legal requirement. For more information visit:https://www.gov.uk/night-working-hours

We encourage applications from candidates who wish to workpart-time; however,part-time opportunities cannot be guaranteed and are subject to the requirements of the role and business. Candidates wishing to work part-time should notify the vacancy holder as soon as a provisional offer of employment is made, to explore whether this can be accommodated at your selected location. Please note that full shifts, of up to 12 hours, will be required even if a part-time contract is sought.

Training

You will receive full training and support to do the job. This will include Public and Personal Safety Training (Level 3), which will teach you skills in personal safety and restraint techniques to keep you and your team colleagues safe. Training takes place initially in the classroom and then continues on the job with a mentor who supports you until you are fully confident in the role. Even then you are never alone; you work as part of a team where there is always someone around for advice and support. Further information on what the training involves can be foundon our website.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Company: Government Recruitment Service Salary: £34,415 to £34,931 a year Hours: Full-time Location: Holyhead Job type: Permanent Posting date: 29 Sept 2026 Closing date: 13 Oct 2026

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