They patrol forest areas, areas along rivers and bridges, and road and ft crossings to the western border, supporting the Border defender in the fight against illegal immigration. WOT soldiers have been doing tasks for over 8 months under Operation Safe West. Currently, around 200 terricultures are active. What is the situation in the border area today?
Operation “Safe West”, i.e. random checks on roads entering Poland and patrols of the border region involving territorial defence troops, began by decision of the government on 7 July last year. This is all due to the expanding migratory force and the expanding number of attempts to illegally cross the border.
At the first phase of the operation, the Border defender officers supported 500 territorialists. The situation at the border is now under control and illegal immigration is better recognised and controlled. Therefore, borderers request a simplification in military participation in the operation. Currently, patrols in the border region in the voivodships of Dolnośląskie, Lubuskie and Zachodniopomorskie lead about 200 WOT soldiers. These activities affect 3 OT brigades: 14 West Pomeranian, 15 Lubuska and 16 Lower Silesian. The territorials patrol the alleged green border, and thus the forest areas or areas along the Oder. Together with the Ministry of abroad Affairs, Border defender and Police, they besides carry out random checks on vehicles entering the country.
– In addition, we support guards in search actions, safe local border crossings – besides on foot-rows, monitor river sections, respond to situations reported by residents, observe the green border - the spit calculates. Arkadiusz Secula of the 14th West Pomeranian Territorial Defence Brigade, Press spokesperson for Operation Safe West. As he adds, WOT soldiers are besides entitled to independent inspections and searches of vehicles entering Poland – without the presence of Border defender or police. “For example, soldiers can verify documents, check citizenship, and besides control the contents of trunks,” he explains.
Currently there are respective regular stations on the most crucial roads entering the country from the West, where borderers and territorialists carry out random checks on vehicles entering Poland. Mobile patrols are besides operating, changing the location depending on the request or signals of possible crossing the border by illegal immigrants. In addition, soldiers patrol forest, river, and another areas where there may be an illegal spread of foreigners. The service at the border lasts 12 hours, after that the next half of the day is changed.
– Patrol regions indicate Border Guard, which has a recognized phenomenon. It's about places that couriers usually usage to spread people. If we detect any irregularities, e.g. false papers or deficiency of them, during the audit, we immediately call on the Border Guard, which carries out further activities – adds spit. A secule.
According to the government's last decision, the operation is due to proceed until 4 April.
