Cumbria Police has reaffirmed their commitment to addressing delays in firearms licensing, following a series of discussions with the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).
In a recent meeting, Cumbria Police reported a substantial reduction of 57 per cent in the backlog of renewals since new resources were implemented in April.
The initial dialogue with the chief constable of Cumbria Constabulary resulted in the police allocating additional resources to the firearms licensing process within the region. This commitment was reiterated in a subsequent meeting involving Martin Parker, BASC’s head of firearms, superintendent Andy Wilkinson and chief inspector Lee Skelton. The police force confirmed that it remains on track to further reduce the backlog, emphasising their dedication to achieving key objectives.
The objectives outlined include the elimination of backlogs on renewals, the issuance of grants within 17 weeks, the completion of non-judicial outcome suitability reviews within eight weeks and the processing of variations within four weeks.
Mr Parker expressed his satisfaction with the progress, stating, “I was delighted to be invited back again and appreciate the clear commitment to improving the licensing process this demonstrated.
“The progress the force has made in such a short space of time clearly shows that if you put the resources in, improvements can be made.
“I look forward to engaging with the new police, fire and crime commissioner for Cumbria at the first possible opportunity. BASC remains ready to provide any assistance with training that the force may find useful.”
This significant reduction in the backlog is a positive development for the firearms community in Cumbria, demonstrating the efficacy of dedicated resources and strategic collaboration. As the police force continues to work towards its objectives, stakeholders remain optimistic about the continued improvement in the firearms licensing process.
