UK's Reid signals curbs on EU migrants

LONDON, Sep 19 (Reuters) Romanians and Bulgarians may face restrictions on entering Britain if their countries join the European Union next year, Home Secretary John Reid said today.

Reid said immigration from the two countries would need to be carefully managed and that the planned expansion of the EU would have an impact on policing and crime.

The government said in August it had introduced a managed immigration policy, using a points system to match up skills needed with immigration, which would apply to new EU entrants.

''As global migration increases and the EU continues to expand, we need to be ready for fresh challenges -- including in the law enforcement field,'' Reid told the Police Superintendents' Association annual conference.

''That is why we need to manage immigration carefully, including in respect of the forthcoming decision over Romania and Bulgaria.

''We need to consider very carefully all the implications of accession of new states and ensure that we have all the necessary safeguards in place, right down to local borough level, to reassure the public that this movement will be managed fairly and competently.'' Reid said he knew that law enforcement agencies had already been working closely with the Romanian and Bulgarian governments.

The EU is expected to make a final decision next month on whether Romania and Bulgaria can join. If, as expected, the move is approved, the two countries will become EU members on January 1 next year.

Reuters DKA KP1807