I have just had the same issue on arriving in Spain. Last year I had no problem.

The official asked me where I was staying, where I was travelling to, and why I was going there. He appeared to be having to complete a computer proforma, and seemed to be very taken aback by the whole process, which took several minutes

I have not had this experience on recent landings in Holland and Germany, although I am sure my passport raises a flag when it is scanned, since in recent times the officers have given me a second look, but no questions.

I guess the Spanish are linked directly into a UK database.

My conviction was of a sexual nature and I flew from London to Madrid. I notified the Police in UK of my travel plans.

I will soon be off the SOR, and my conviction is spent already, but I suspect this querying at Spanish entry points will be lifelong

The background to all this is explained thoroughly in the thread on Interpol Green Notice when some posts talk about Schengen notifications

Post Edited (geoffrey) : 30/09/2015 16:03:00 (GMT+2)

John

My risk assessment is the lowest possible. Clearly the Spanish Police had no idea what it was all about and thought a notification meant I was equivalent to a someone who posed a serious threat.

I will raise with my PPU officer when I get back

Thanks for your helpful work

BT. The discussion is about the apparently new sharing of information with other European countries, leading to what almost appears to be panic by non uk border guards on some occasion. Coming back to the UK my experience at uk border is ok.I have travelled abroad about ten times in the last year to the EU and not had any real problems when I get back, just questions about how long I've been away for example

John. I was asked at the normal desk where I was staying that night, where I was staying the following night, and what was I going to do in Spain, and why. He started off quite heavy attitude when my passport flagged up, but after lots of very long pauses on his part, he seemed to be less worried. He was typing my answers into his terminal. I found it stressful since as time goes on the rules and restrictions keep getting more onerous and I was not expecting this one

Post Edited (geoffrey) : 01/10/2015 19:08:57 (GMT+2)

Hello, been a while since I contributed on here.

My conviction nearly 5 years ago, and now spent, has never caused any issues apart from when re-entering Britain where the passport chaps simple ask where I have been.

However, a few weeks ago I flew into Spain and was confronted by the passport scanners. To my surprise the scanner bleeped and and i was taken to one side and asked all sorts of silly questions. the spanish police didnt seem to have a clue what to do. Only when my wife walked over could you see the sense of relief on the policeman's face and he apologised and waved me on.

I didnt think that that type of info was shared, or maybe it is just a flag on the passport.

On arriving back, it was simple 'hello Mr ..... where have you travelled from?' and that was that.

I guess what Im saying is be prepared when travelling abroad in future!

It matters little what risk level you are so forget about that. If you are on the register & travel abroad, it will flag up when you return. It seems to be pot luck what happens next; I've been through without a word sometimes, once at the airport with my wife they looked like they wanted to quiz me, but her presence seemed enough that they changed their mind, other times I've been made to fill in paperwork & once I was stopped & my car was searched - not thoroughly at all, but quickly opening bags & stuff in the boot - I genuinely believe they were seeing if there was anyone I was trying to smuggle in. I was then made to go into a room where I was questioned. I complained to PPU when I got back & was told it shouldn't have happened. But of course it did, & you have to be aware this might happen, so seriously think twice about any foreign travel - if a few mates want to go to Calais Xmas shopping, I wouldn't do it.

There is a big big difference between people traveling on SOR & someone traveling after they are no longer on it. I'm nearly off too & I have no intention of traveling abroad with anyone who isn't a close friend/family & aware of it. I've turned down a friends stag do with a naff excuse, but if you have to do that occasionally to mean you can safely keep moving on with your life, so be it. But the issue of course is that once you're off it, you should no longer be flagged, but I'll certainly test that on my own first.

I came back today from travelling & have to say that it was a doddle going through the border control on eurotunnel. In some respects it was almost too easy as there were long delays, but no one checked the boot of my car for anything, which I'd expected would be standard for everyone regardless of whether or not you flag up on anything. Just got asked where I'd been, why I'd gone & whether I owned the car & when from. I could have easily gone with a friend & they'd have been none the wiser, but I'm still not risking it as the end is getting closer now for when I can finally move on with my life without one hand tied behind my back so to speak.

The only stress & hassle came in notifying of my travel as I came across someone who decided to offer their opinion that the amount of travelling I was doing seemed a lot for such a short trip, but I've done this enough times now that I can stay relatively calm & not bite on the sly comments.

JohnL - yes the passport was handed over at border patrol coming back & it was scanned, but they've been doing this for a little while now. The questions asked didn't seem any more intrusive than they would have asked anyone else - pretty pointless stuff really. In theory it's a bit stricter going out, but I've not found that, just wave your passport & no one looks at it, so I'm guessing that it's just UK people who are subject to all of this. i wouldn't mind if it had any relevance, but it really doesn't in my case

They pretty much asked me all the questions that I'd already filled in on the travel sheet before I went. I think because it had flagged up on their machine, they immediately decided I must be a big risk & the fact that my offence was about as minor as you could get was irrelevant because the flag is there. With regard to the other point, they do search the odd vehicle at border control - normally vans which might be bringing back cigarettes/alcohol so I doubt it's unlawful. But the main thing to factor in is that it's late at night, your crossing leaves in 30minutes, if you miss it you're stuffed, it's not the time therefore to start arguing with uniformed guys with guns as to why they they're doing it.

I'm working on the basis that for a little while longer I'm going to be a complete party pooper & make excuses for not traveling abroad with friends, but as JohnL says, the key thing is being sure that when your travel should no longer be flagged, that it isn't, because you shouldn't be pulled back from moving on with your life for ever more.

From all of the reports we have at the moment we can gather up the following information;

1. A notice will be sent out about you to the country you are travelling. Doesn't matter what you did, or how long ago, if you must notify it will be sent.
2. Passport control will see this notice when you attempt to enter their country. They will have advanced knowledge of your travel plans provided by British Police.
3. If you travel in within the EU they cannot stop you going in.
4. They can ask you various questions.
5. Travel outside of EU has a much, much lower chance of gaining entry. I would not advise it at all.

Also be aware that the notice may be in affect for longer than the duration of your travel, e.g the US has their notices last for 5 years.

There is no way to know, you're not meant to know these alerts are sent out about you.

They want covert intelligence gathered on your movements as they believe you will commit further crimes on your travels.