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About us

The first duty of government is to keep citizens safe and the country secure. The Interior Office plays a fundamental role in the security, public protection and lawful movement of people into and within United Hampshire.

The Interior Office is the lead government department for policing, crime, internal security, immigration, borders, identity and public protection.

Responsibilities

We are responsible for:

  • policing policy, police powers, police accountability and professional standards
  • reducing and preventing crime, including serious and organised crime
  • public order and the protection of communities
  • internal security, counter-extremism, hostile-state activity, espionage, foreign interference and protective security
  • immigration, visas, entry clearance, entry and re-entry, residence and settlement
  • border control, border security and immigration enforcement
  • the relationship between immigration status and membership
  • identity and passport policy, civil registration and credential integrity
  • disclosure and barring and other public-protection functions
  • law-enforcement data, criminal intelligence and investigatory-powers policy
  • public-body sponsorship, departmental casework, records and official information

Priorities

Our priorities are to:

  • cut crime and the harm it causes
  • protect United Hampshire from internal security threats and hostile activity
  • support visible, responsible and accountable policing
  • protect vulnerable people and communities
  • secure the border and operate lawful, consistent immigration and status systems
  • provide reliable public services and casework with clear safeguards and review routes

Who we are

We are a ministerial department supported by policing, immigration, border, identity, security and public-protection organisations.

The departmental family includes the National Police Service, South Havenstead Police, Immigration and Membership Service, Border Force, Immigration Enforcement, LL Passport Office, General Register Office, Disclosure and Barring Service and the Security Service, together with independent inspection, complaints and oversight bodies.

Corporate information

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Read about the types of information we routinely publish in our Publication scheme. Our Personal information charter explains how we treat your personal information.

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