The Handbook on Common Risk Indicators (CRIs) supports border and coast guard officers and participants in Frontex operational activities in applying a common, risk-based approach to the identification of persons, routes and behaviours that may indicate links to terrorism, foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs), violent extremism or related hybrid/security threats. It complements mandatory database checks, including SIS and other relevant systems, by helping officers detect both “known” persons and “unknown” subjects of interest whose details may not yet be registered. The handbook provides practical indicators and guidance for referring cases of persons posing a threat to the EU for more detailed checks, while ensuring that the use of CRIs remains proportionate, non-discriminatory and fully aligned with fundamental rights and data-protection requirements.

Link: CRI_EN.pdf (europa.eu)

The Handbook on Firearms for Border Guards and Customs is developed to support border guards/police and customs officers with their daily duties at the border and thus improve detections of firearms, its parts and ammunition in respect to passengers, means of transportation and belongings. Moreover, the Handbook allows to better profile the control measures and increase awareness on modalities of arms trafficking with a focus on smuggling methods. One of the objectives is also to provide guidelines on security measures that should be undertaken by the officers when securing and handling the firearms and ammunition detected at the borders.

Contact: HoS.OPP@frontex.europa.eu ; firearms@frontex.europa.eu 

The Handbook on Boarding in Frontex Coordinated Joint Maritime Operations: Best Practices & Guidelines sets out good or best practices in the practical conduct of boarding during the Frontex coordinated operational activities where migrant smuggling, drugs smuggling and other cross-border crime can be countered and what might lead to the boarding operations. 

Link: Handbook on Boarding in Frontex Coordinated Joint Maritime Operations Best Practices & Guidelines.pdf (europa.eu)

Contact: POLI.CG@frontex.europa.eu 

More emphasis is to be put on victims of trafficking arriving at the external borders as well as on increasing the likelihood of participants to identify potential cases of THB. The Handbook is developed to support participants in the early identification of victims of THB of respective nationalities and perpetrators crossing an external border together with the victims, as well as to provide an overview of the trafficking processes, including information on the recruitment of victims, the modi operandi of the criminal networks, and the victims’ situations.  

VEGA Handbooks composed of the best practices and recommendations for the border guards aim to provide border guards with practical indications on how to detect and subsequently protect children who are at risk of being trafficked or smuggled. 

Link: VEGA Handbook: Children at sea borders (europa.eu)