The Safety Security & Home Affairs Portfolio is at the frontline of keeping citizens safe and the island secure and plays a fundamental role in the security and economic prosperity of St Helena. Close working across portfolios, local businesses and the community is required to help to tackle safety issues for the island. St Helena will prosper significantly from being open, engaged and connected to the rest of the world and it creates tremendous opportunities for individuals and the Island’s collective prosperity.
The Portfolio comprises of:
- Immigration and Customs
- Fire and Rescue
- Sea Rescue
- HM Prison
- Emergency Planning
- Port Control
- Maritime Authority
- Health and Safety
- Resilience Forum and Critical National Infrastructure Scrutiny,
- Highways Authority
- Cyber Security Strategy
- Roads
- Rock fall Protection
- Building Maintenance
The Portfolio has a range of licensing and inspection services including providing a 24 hour emergency services contact, control and command centre administered by the Police.
- Immigration – Led by Deputy Head of Immigration Emerald Newman-Yon under the guidance of Head of Customs & Immigration, currently manages the following immigration business areas: Border operations at both the sea and air ports, in country casework, Nationality applications, Entry clearance / visa applications and British and St Helenian Passport applications and enquiries.
- HM Customs – Led by Deputy Head of Customs Juliette O’Dean under the guidance of Head of Customs & Immigration. The focus of customs is on fiscal subject whilst monitoring and facilitating trade at three ports of entry Jamestown, Rupert’s and St Helena Airport. HM Custom’s is responsible for controlling the flow of imports and exports, monitoring prohibited, restricted and illegal imports and also for applying tariffs on imported goods.
- Fire and Rescue – is a statutory function lead by Acting Brigade Manager Jason Lawrence and is regulated by the Fire Service Ordinance Cap. 134. operating to Home Office Standards in providing an emergency response with a broad range of responsibilities including: all instances and reports of fire including buildings, vehicles, open land, supports Airport firefighting, Dangerous environs rescue (cliff rescue), extrication from entrapments and general maintenance to fire related equipment.
- Sea Rescue – lead by Manager Simon Wade has an obligation to be able to respond to persons/ vessels in distress and also has a responsibility in the Major Incident response system.
- Emergency Planning – Led by Deputy Emergency Planning Manager Anel O’Bey under the guidance of Emergency Planning & Sea Rescue Manager Simon Wade, is responsible for facilitating emergency preparedness in the territory of St Helena and uses the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 as a guide to best practice
- HM Prison – is managed bySuperintendent of Prisons Paul Duncan with the purpose being to serve the public by keeping in custody those committed by the courts and to look after them with humanity and help them lead law abiding and useful lives in custody and after release. Our current priorities are centered on safety, security, decency, rehabilitation and reducing reoffending.
- Port Control – is headed by the Harbour Master Simon Lee. The main role and responsibility is to ensure that the Ports at Jamestown and Rupert’s, operates safely and securely, complying with maritime law, and to enforce the requirements of the Ports Ordinance 2016.
- Maritime – is led by the Head of Maritime, Mia Henry, and is responsible for developing and implementing compliance requirements for safety and environmental protection, and adhering to international maritime law.
- Roads – managed by Roads Manager Deon Robbertse with the purpose of upgrading and maintaining all primary and secondary roads on island.
- Rockfall – led by Rockguards Inspector and Maintenance Officer Matthew Williams under the guidance of Roads Manager. The purpose is to monitor hillsides and cliff edges for potential rockfalls and to monitor and maintain rockfall protection infrastructure.
- Building Maintenance – led by Buildings Manager Theron Henry with the purpose of monitoring, renovating and maintaining Crown Properties in a sustainable way to support the people of the island and to improve the standard of living and quality of life on the island.
The Portfolio has five priorities which will support the delivery of the National Goals for St Helena and achievement of our Strategic Objectives and Policy Priorities and meet the needs of the community.
The Portfolio has five priorities which will support the delivery of the National Goals for St Helena and achievement of our Strategic Objectives and Policy Priorities and meet the needs of the community.
Portfolio Priorities
Priority 1 – Keeping St Helena safe by reducing crime and working to better the lives of children, young people and those most vulnerable within our community.
Priority 2 – Working with partners, both internationally and in St. Helena, to secure our borders in order to protect the community and support economic development.
Priority 3 – Improving community trust and confidence in the services provided by the portfolio.
Priority 4 – Working with partners, volunteers and stakeholders to minimise and manage identified risks and to maintain public safety and our response to incidents.
Priority 5 – Working with the community, partners and stakeholders to help solve the issues most affecting our community to make us ‘Altogether Safer.