Scanning fingerprints on entering UK

I just returned to the UK today (from Europe) to Stansted and I noticed that the immigration officer was taking much longer talking to each person passing through customs. When I passed through and he realized I had a visa, he scanned my right hand thumb and index finger. I had never had this done before when going through customs and he said it should be done. I was wondering if anyone else has ever had this done?

Also, I am wondering if security is getting tighter due to the upcoming wedding. That must be why it took so long going through customs today.

Yep, happened to me last time I entered the UK with my visa.  That was back in November.

I think the fingerprinting at immigration was introduced a few months ago, before the wedding was announced (so I don't think it has anything to do with the royal wedding).

Actually, just doing a quick search, according to the UKBA website fingerprinting at UK airports was introduced way back in December 2009 (http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/travellingtotheuk/Enteringtheuk/fingerprint-checks-at-border/)!

The first time I had it was last June, when I entered the UK through Belfast.  I'd flown into Glasgow before, twice, with a visa and had not had it.  I think they're introducing it to more and more airports now.

When I entered on my fiancee visa in December, my fingerprints were scanned. I had a scary moment when the IO repeated the process and said "Why aren't your fingerprints matching up?" as she looked at her computer, but then she wiped the scanner clean, scanned me again, and then sent me on my way, so I guess everything was fine after all.

I came in on my visa in October of 2009 and they did fingerprints and digital photo on me and my daughter then.

I've had fingerprints scanned both times I've entered the UK on a settlement visa, beginning in 2010.

I asked about it the first time it was done to me (maybe last summer) and the IO said they were matching it up against the biometrics to ensure you were the visa holder.

I asked about it the first time it was done to me (maybe last summer) and the IO said they were matching it up against the biometrics to ensure you were the visa holder.

Indeed, that's what I was told as well.

Just a check to make sure you are the same person who has the visa.

It all makes sense it's just odd that this was the first time they were scanned. I've flown to and from the UK at least 4 times since I moved here and have flown into Stansted 2 times in the past 3 months and this is the first time it was done.

I should mention I was never fingerprinted entering Manchester...only in Heathrow.

So what happens if you've never had biometrics but are here on a visa?  I'm curious if they will still scan me and if they would then keep them.

What about if you do IRIS? Would they finger print you as well?

I am here on a work permit and have never been fingerprinted. I last came through Stansted in early January.

So what happens if you've never had biometrics but are here on a visa?  I'm curious if they will still scan me and if they would then keep them.

What visa are you on that you didn't have to submit biometrics?