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<p>It is a matter for individual Chief Officers of Police to determine how their force
firearms licensing departments deals with applications for firearms certificates subject
to the relevant legislation and Statutory Guidance issued by the Home Secretary. However,
we would expect police forces to provide an efficient and effective service and we
understand that there are concerns about the performance of some forces in this respect.
Together with the local Police and Crime Commissioner, I have therefore commissioned
an inspection of firearms licensing in Devon and Cornwall Police, and I will receive
the report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services
(HMICFRS) later this summer. There will also be a wide thematic inspection of firearms
licensing in police forces by HMICRFS in 2024/25 that will look at a number of forces.</p><p>In
addition, force performance is being actively monitored by the National Police Chiefs’
Council’s lead for firearms licensing.</p><p>I have also written to all Police and
Crime Commissioners about the importance of an efficient and effective firearms licensing
process in police forces and I continue to receive updates on force performance. A
refreshed version of the Statutory Guidance to Chief Officers of Police on Firearms
Licensing was published on 14 February 2023, and that contains, amongst other matters,
new content about the importance of forces managing caseloads effectively to avoid
backlogs. This includes a deadline of 14 August to move away from the routine use
of temporary permits.</p>
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