Durham FAC renewal time

[dromia]

South of the Clashag - FEBs!

[Pinguino]

After getting an email back that's where my lever-action shotgun and spare barrel had gone too, onto my SGC. Plainly done by someone who doesn't know what a S1 shotgun is. As you say, very worrying.

I had both my S1 shotguns entered onto my SGC (unbeknown to me) - when I got a later variation back, I still had authority to buy two S1 shotguns on my FAC.

The little devil on my shoulder was sorely tempted to buy another two, until the sensible angel made me contact licensing and make them correct their error

I would have asked for them to transfer them back AND leave the two new slots!

I missed a trick there

[jan8p]

Chased Durham again today on my SGC grant. Still awaiting vetting checks. Same as it was when I chased 5 weeks ago.

[Blackstuff]

I got a response to my complaint/suggestions for improvements. Its a tad condescending to start but technically does answer the issue. I don't know enough about Northumbria, North Yorkshire and Cumbrias lockdown strategies (i.e. have the stopped accepting grants/variations etc etc) to counter what has been stated so I guess i'll have to leave it there.

"I am writing to you to help contextualise and answer your questions about how Durham Constabulary’s Firearms Licensing Unit (FLU) function and especially around the time taken to process renewals.

Durham Constabulary receives 133.3 million pounds per year to provide policing to County Durham and Darlington. About 75% of the money spent by the force comes from a Government grant, the rest of it is paid by Council tax payers through the policing precept. Out of this pot the FLU is funded.

County Durham is a largely rural county, with an estimated population of just over 530,000, with approximately 8500 firearm certificates issued. The legal ownership of firearms and explosives is overseen via the Constabulary’s Firearms Licensing Unit (FLU), based at the ‘Warehouse’ in Peterlee. The primary objective of the firearms and explosives licensing process is to protect the public from avoidable harm. This is achieved through the assessment of applicants and continuous review of existing certificate holders to ensure their suitability to acquire and possess weapons and ammunition. It is also necessary to provide the licensing service in a way that endeavours to meet the needs of the applicants in terms of quality and timeliness. As you are aware, firearms legislation in this country is primarily set out in the Firearms Act 1968 (The Firearms Act 1968 extends to England, Wales and Scotland, with the exception of the regulation of air weapons in Scotland, which is devolved) and is based firmly on public safety. Durham Constabulary recognises that firearms are used for a range of legitimate purposes, such as target shooting, quarry shooting and pest control, and the vast majority are used safely and responsibly. While the controls must protect the public from misuse, they must also be proportionate and administered fairly.

Firearms Licensing is a mechanism for managing risk, within any form of risk management there has to be an assessment of the risk, what if any control measures can be applied to eliminate and or reduce this risk to an acceptable level. This guidance covers risk assessment, management and monitoring. Certificate holders will come to the notice of the police for a variety of reasons and some of these will trigger a need to review an individual’s continued suitability to retain their certificates and firearms. In the majority of cases, such a review can be undertaken without the need to seize certificates and firearms. Where the risk arising from continued possession is high then seizure must take place as soon as possible. The assessment, management and monitoring of the risks associated with the lawful ownership of firearms are of paramount importance. Failing to deal with these matters in a timely and robust manner can have tragic consequences, to individuals, communities and the police service.

The FLU is part of the national Firearms & Explosives Licensing Working Group (FELWG) and its primary purpose is to regulate the legitimate possession and use of firearms, shot guns, dealers, clubs and explosives by residences and visitors to our policing area, who are deemed not to present a risk to themselves or others. Durham FLU undertake a number of checks before authorising the grant or renewal of a certificate, although they are under no legal obligation to do so. These checks include criminal records, medical history and aspects such as security at the location where the firearms or shot guns are to be kept. This is in accordance with the recommendations made by Lord Cullen’s report (Dunblane 1996) and, more recently, the IPCC recommendations (Durham 2012). The firearms laws in this country are among the toughest in the world and the Government keeps them under constant review to ensure they continue to safeguard the public. As I’m sure you are aware these laws have been updated and strengthened significantly in recent years. For example, the introduction of new offences to prevent the conversion of imitation firearms and the sale of ‘defectively deactivated’ firearms, and the banning of rapid-firing rifles and bump stocks. This week has seen the change to the legislations relating to antiques firearms that will help to tackle their use in crime. As well as the forthcoming amendments to the more effective collection of medical information upon grants and renewals. All of these revisions and updates create demand upon the firearms licensing process. This is also compounded by an increase in the popularity of shooting and in the year ending 31 March 2020, nationally there were just under 8K new applications for firearms certificates and 19K new shotgun applicants, these are both the highest number since recording began.

The renewal of shotgun licences is a 5 year cyclical process. Over this period, there are two peak years where demand outstrips resource. This is largely due to changes made to the duration of the shotgun certificate implemented in 1997. This change brought SGC in line with firearms licenses in increasing their period of validity from 3 to 5 years. This issue is not new and has had national impact on police firearms licensing since the change was implemented. Individual Forces are manging this by various means. Durham’s response to this uplift in demand was addressed by the Constabulary by employing additional 5 temporary staff. 4 of whom were interviewed, recruited and in place in March 2020 with the 5th starting in the July of ’20. They have then had to be trained in their respective roles by other members of the FLU, this by its very nature is a time consuming process and yet another inhibitor to the licensing process. To compare Durham’s FLU process and response times against other FLU’s over the previous year is like comparing apples to pears. This is because across all of the police areas there are vastly different approaches to managing both the cyclical uplift as well as the COVID impact. Some aren’t doing grants, whether that be shotgun, firearm or both, other’s aren’t doing variations and / or land surveys, there are other variants of the aforementioned. The national FELWG stance, is that police forces should operate as ‘business as usual’ this is caveated by each force’s Chief Officer owning that risk within their geographical areas of responsibility. Durham FLU has continued to work as normal and process all elements that they receive, this ‘will do’ approach has meant we’ve not discriminated against any groups or individual. However, as you’ve highlighted this has unintentionally caused delays in getting things processed.

As well as the cyclical demand relating to the renewal of licenses, as outlined previously, there is also an existing FLU backlog, this was created during 2019 as a result a loss of experienced staff, the time taken to interview and instate replacements and then furthermore delay in training. COVID has also been an issue in relation to slowing the process during 2020 and into 2021. It has impacted on the department staff, with some having to shield as well as bouts of COVID related sickness. There has also been an impact on being able to perform home visits by the Firearms Enquiry Officer’s (FEO’s) as some of our licence holders were shielding themselves. The FEO working protocols were amended to be in line with the organisations COVID procedures, this give clear guidance to both the FEO and License Holder (LH) as how best and safely conduct a home visit. Obtaining GP reports has also been impacted by the virus as surgeries have been operating on reduced staffing and the requests have been taking longer to actioned, in turn causing a delay in the units processing time.

I’m minded that you reference what other FLU’s are doing nationally. This has been done and there are a vast spectrum of practices that have been adopted or implemented. These range from ‘automatic renewals’ to IT ‘home visits conducted by FEO’s. I’m sure you appreciate the risks involved when people and firearms are involved. The threat (Threat of What? - Serious Injury / death from Firearm discharge) v’s risk (Risk – through process – safety of public vs time scale) elements of the FLU process have to be balanced against public safety. I am not prepared to sacrifice the safety of the people of County Durham and Darlington at the expense of time. We have implemented telephone reviews by FEO, where appropriate (not just for COVID but to assist in being more efficient), we are in the process of rolling out upgraded mobile devices to the FEO’s to allow them to carry out a video review via the TEAMS platform. These devices are a stepping stone to the FEO’s being fully mobile and being able to work remotely and be able to provide their reports in real time without the need to be yo-yoing back to desks to type up hand written notes. Organisationally we are constantly looking at our departmental performance and dynamically moving staff to help meet the demands and reduce the backlogs we own. I fully understand your (and others) frustrations which are compounded by a process that Durham historically were proficient in doing. The Constabulary is currently going through some internal IT upgrading, this will see a revamped and more ergonomic website. This in turn will lead to the updated grant / application process which will be automated and remove the need for forms to be downloaded and cheques to be sent in the post! These changes and evolution for the organisation are fully aligned to the Firearms Licensing Authorised Professional Practice which states that forces should, therefore, consider adopting a risk based approach to all aspects of the licensing process to maximise efficiency and effectiveness.


I apologise for any un-necessary stress these experiences may have caused and I can assure you that your complaint has been taken on board and will help ‘us’ to become better at what we do. Please get back to me directly via this email if you have any further concerns or would like further clarity on anything I have referenced in the correspondence."

[jan8p]

That's actually a pretty good response. My main gripe is the lack of information and being told there's a backlog and no ETA, it really grinds my gears. If they gave us more information from the off, like your response, it is much more palatable.

After going back on the "still awaiting vetting checks" email I received yesterday, they've now said that they are currently processing applications received in October, and mine was the start of Dec, so they have to get through approx 1 month of applications before they get to mine. Whilst still annoying, if you at least know where you are in the queue and what they're doing it stops people getting frustrated.

It's all about communication and sometimes it's forgotten how easy it can be to pacify a complaint by just being honest.

[Sim G]

I absolutely despise when the trot out the line, " The firearms laws in this country are among the toughest in the world "! That is not an achievement...

[phaedra1106]

Quick update. Had a phone call on Wednesday checking a few things like any changes to medication, security etc. Could I verify how many shotguns and firearms I had, could I check the serial number of one rifle as the seller I bought it from had it incorrectly listed on his FAC and never noticed!.

So at just over 6 months from applying (and 5 weeks after they expired) my certificates arived this morning, and there was no request for a doctors letter.

[jan8p]

Glad yours came through!

I chased a couple of weeks ago and was told they are part way through my background checks and the FEO will be in touch once completed.

No contact yet........it was applied for just over 6 months ago.

[Blackstuff]

I checked on Friday and got the same fob off, although it did contain the odd phrase "Enquires are prioritised generally by age as well as risk so I do not have a timescale on when this will be unfortunately"

Not sure what that's supposed to mean?? Age of the application, age of the applicant?? Risk as in because of the number and/or type of firearms?

Mines been in coming up to 8 months now And I know they've just lost 2 FEO's in the last month so maybe the year they put on my Section 7 wasn't as funny as I first thought

[jan8p]

They have to mean age of the enquiry/application, not the applicant as there's no way they can prioritize based on a person's age.

Losing 2 FEOs is interesting though, how do you know that?