As well as meeting immigration officers Lin Homer had the chance to see the Iris Recognition Immigration System (IRIS), which is currently being used to cut waiting times for trusted visitors at the airport.
Homer said: “Maintaining and strengthening the security of the border in Luton is a top priority. I hope local people are reassured by the technology we’re using to make our borders secure.
“The use of biometric technology and the continued vigilance of Border and Immigration Agency staff are key to cracking down on illegal entry to the UK.”
The airport, which has seen its number of border control staff nearly double since 2005, is also using technology which allows immigration staff to scan biometric data in new e-passports.
Nationwide checks on 20 million passengers travelling in and out of the UK in 2006 resulted in 12,000 individuals being followed up for further checks and 1,000 arrests for a series of offences.
By 2010 the Government hopes to have the majority of passenger traffic covered by so-called e-borders, with a fingerprint biometric included in every new UK passport.
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