Waterguard
Encyclopedia
The Waterguard was the name given to a division of HM Customs and Excise responsible for the collection of customs and excise
revenue from the passengers and crew of ships and aircraft, and other incoming travellers to the United Kingdom
. It was abolished in 1972, when its duties passed to officers of HM Customs.
, the Waterguard was the sea-based arm of revenue enforcement and complemented the "riding officer
s" who patrolled the shore. The Waterguard was initially based in Watch Houses around the coast, and boat crews patrolled the coast in cutters each night. It was under Admiralty
control from 1816 to 1822, when it and riding officers were amalgamated under the control of the Board of Customs. The Waterguard was absorbed into the Customs and Excise department in 1909.
officer. The most noticeable difference was that the bands of rank extended only halfway around the sleeve, instead of forming a continuous band. The name "Waterguard" became misleading after 1923, when their domain was extended to the border between Northern Ireland
and the Irish Free State
(now the Republic of Ireland
), and they also came to patrol airports and other places of entry into the United Kingdom
. Waterguard officers were often referred to simply as "customs officers", although until 1972 officers of HM Customs and Excise were plain-clothed and concentrated on investigations rather than the routine searches that the Waterguard undertook.
Customs and Excise
Customs and Excise refers to customs duty and excise duty.In certain countries, the national tax authorities that are responsible for collecting those duties are named Customs and Excise, including:...
revenue from the passengers and crew of ships and aircraft, and other incoming travellers to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It was abolished in 1972, when its duties passed to officers of HM Customs.
History
Formed in 1809 as the "Preventive Waterguard" (also known as the Preventative Boat Service) to combat smugglingSmuggling
Smuggling is the clandestine transportation of goods or persons, such as out of a building, into a prison, or across an international border, in violation of applicable laws or other regulations.There are various motivations to smuggle...
, the Waterguard was the sea-based arm of revenue enforcement and complemented the "riding officer
Riding officer
The Riding Officer was an occupation common during the 18th century around the coastlines of Britain. The principal duty of the office was to visit the coast within their predefined riding range, to meet and correspond with the other riding officers either in person or by letter, and to inquire and...
s" who patrolled the shore. The Waterguard was initially based in Watch Houses around the coast, and boat crews patrolled the coast in cutters each night. It was under Admiralty
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
control from 1816 to 1822, when it and riding officers were amalgamated under the control of the Board of Customs. The Waterguard was absorbed into the Customs and Excise department in 1909.
Description
Members of the Waterguard were uniformed officers whose uniform was very similar to that of a Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
officer. The most noticeable difference was that the bands of rank extended only halfway around the sleeve, instead of forming a continuous band. The name "Waterguard" became misleading after 1923, when their domain was extended to the border between Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
and the Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
(now the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
), and they also came to patrol airports and other places of entry into the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Waterguard officers were often referred to simply as "customs officers", although until 1972 officers of HM Customs and Excise were plain-clothed and concentrated on investigations rather than the routine searches that the Waterguard undertook.