An estimated 10,000 passports were issued to fraudulent applicants in 12 months, the Home Office has said.
An estimated 10,000 passports were issued to fraudulent applicants in 12 months, the Home Office has said.
The documentation was given out by the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) in the year up to September 2006.
The documentation was given out by the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) in the year up to September 2006.
Home Office minister Joan Ryan said the IPS had 16,500 fraudulent applications during the 12 month period.
Home Office minister Joan Ryan said the IPS had 16,500 fraudulent applications during the 12 month period, 10,000 of which went undetected.
Current security measures had managed to halt 6,500 of the cases with a further 10,000 passports going undetected, she added.
Meanwhile, it has emerged two convicted terrorists were issued with two false British passports each.
One was a Moroccan found guilty of a bombing in Casablanca, and the other was Dhiren Barot, from London, who was sentenced to life last November for plotting to kill thousands of people in the UK and US.
During Barot's trial, the court heard he considered using a radioactive "dirty bomb".
'More sophisticated'
'More sophisticated'
The figures were revealed as the IPS prepares for a new initiative to cut fraud.
The figures were revealed as the IPS prepares for a new initiative to cut fraud.
A requirement for adults applying for a passport for the first time to attend face-to-face interviews will be gradually introduced from May, the IPS said.
A requirement for adults applying for a passport for the first time to attend face-to-face interviews will be gradually introduced from May, the IPS said.
"It appears that the level of attempted fraud is increasing and getting more sophisticated," Ms Ryan said.
"It appears that the level of attempted fraud is increasing and getting more sophisticated," Ms Ryan said.
The main threats of fraud came from first-time adult applicants followed by first-time child applications, she added.
The main threats of fraud came from first-time adult applicants followed by first-time child applications, she added.
Downing Street said the passport service had made huge progress in the fight against fraud.
Downing Street said the passport service had made huge progress in the fight against fraud.
The prime minister's official spokesman said each case was being followed up and the answer to the problem was being addressed by the interview initiative.
The prime minister's official spokesman said each case was being followed up and the answer to the problem was being addressed by the interview initiative.
Phased scheme
Phased scheme
Passport officials have said the interviews will be "vital" in helping to crack identity fraud.
Passport officials have said the interviews will be "vital" in helping to crack identity fraud.
Some 69 centres are being set up across the UK, with maximum round-trip journey times for applicants of two hours.
Some 69 centres are being set up across the UK, with maximum round-trip journey times for applicants of two hours.
The scheme, which will deal with 600,000 applications a year, will be phased in across the country.
The scheme, which will deal with 600,000 applications a year, will be phased in across the country.
Last month, a report suggested more than 1,000 passports were going missing in the post each year.
Last month, a report suggested more than 1,000 passports were going missing in the post each year.
Conservative MP Grant Shapps, who compiled those figures, said they raised "serious concerns" over the risks of identity fraud and terrorism.
Conservative MP Grant Shapps, who compiled those figures, said they raised "serious concerns" over the risks of identity fraud and terrorism.
In response, the Home Office said the loss of passports had fallen "dramatically".
In response, the Home Office said the loss of passports had fallen "dramatically".
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