Waterguard

The Waterguard was a division of HM Customs and Excise (HMCE) responsible for the control of vessels, aircraft, vehicles and persons arriving into and departing from the United Kingdom.

Waterguard officers were responsible for applying the allowances provided for in law and for collection of customs and excise revenue on the excess.

The officers were also responsible for the enforcement of the prohibitions and restrictions, including controlled drugs and plant and animal health.

With the reorganization of HM Customs and Excise in 1972 the Waterguard was renamed the 'Preventive Service' and the functions of the Waterguard continued to be carried out as part of the HMCE (and its successor HM Revenue and Customs) until the establishment of the UK Border Agency in 2008.

Historically defence of the British coastline had fallen to Wardens of the Coast and later the Vice-Admirals of the coast, who oversaw the superintendence of the Sea Guard Militia assigned to each coastal maritime county during the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries, and later the Sea Fencibles who operated from the 18th and 19th centuries.