ANGUILLA—In order to protect Anguilla’s borders, members of the Royal Anguilla Police Force, Customs and Immigration officers have got together to create Operation Iron Dome that is a security operation plan to protect the island’s borders from persons seeking to enter Anguilla in contravention of its current travel restrictions.
To achieve this objective a three element approach which includes patrols on land, sea, and air, has been employed. Over the past week officers from Operation Iron Dome’s tri-partied teams have been conducting patrols at official and unofficial points of entries into Anguilla. At sea teams were deployed to deter foreign vessels from landing in Anguilla, and to inspect and investigate the movements of local vessels. Over Anguilla’s airspace, an airframe has been flying extended range surveillance flights to provide advance warnings to the land and sea teams. During the hours of darkness the land based patrols have been increased at points of entry.
To date a total of 13 vessels were intercepted 8 of which were denied entry into Anguilla’s waters. The public is encouraged to report any incidents of persons seeking to enter Anguilla illegally. An appeal from the RAPF to the general public is asking persons to report any suspicious activity especially along Anguilla’s south coast and to call 911 immediately.
In addition police in Anguilla have been conducting a series of vehicle check points with the intention of enforcing the regulations in respect of traffic movements. Over a two day period 590 cars were stopped and 15% resulted in persons being advised to return home as they were in breach of the regulations.
