Government launches crackdown on passport fraud

HM Passport Office, has launched a national campaign to tackle the issue and is encouraging students and any young person who uses a passport for age verification to use alternative identification methods.

The group warned that those who use their passport as a form of age identification at bars and clubs are at risk of it being lost or stolen and potentially falling into the hands of criminals.

These include PASS, the UK national proof of age accreditation scheme which issues a photo identification card.

HM Passport Office is also asking anyone who comes into contact with a lost passport to immediately return it to its freepost address so that it can be cancelled.

The campaign will include posters, letters to key stakeholders, as well as a social media drive to raise awareness of the issue.

Immigration Minister Robert Goodwill said: “Young people face a higher risk of losing their passport as they often use it as a form of age verification.A passport is a highly valuable document. If it gets lost or stolen, not only does it cost the holder money to replace it, but it can fall into the hands of criminals unless it is handed in and cancelled.

“We are working with a number of stakeholders including retailers, licensed premises, police, local authorities and students, to communicate that there are better ways to prove your age, such as the PASS card.”