Border, immigration, customs and visa checks will be united from today in the UK’s new Border Agency.

The agency will protect UK borders, control migration and work to prevent border tax fraud, smuggling and immigration crime.

Liam Byrne MP, Labour’s Minister for Borders and Immigration, said: “Today we’re announcing our next big step in the shake-up of Britain’s immigration system and border security with the launch of the UK Border Agency.

“It’s a new force that brings together our customs staff, immigration service and visa staff overseas into a single force with the purpose and the power to keep our borders safe.

“It’s the second biggest organisation with policing powers in the country.

“We meant what we said when we said that 2008 would see the biggest ever shake-up of our border and immigration system. It’s what the public wants to see, it’s something we’re committed to deliver.

“But we’re not only talking about change, as today shows we’re getting on with the business of actually delivering.”

The new organisation is 25,000-strong, including more than 9,000 warranted officers operating in local communities, at the border and across 135 countries worldwide.