Many constituents have written to Richard about the increase in fees to obtain a firearms licence and the severe delays they are experiencing when submitting new and renewal applications for firearm licences. Firearms play an important role in rural communities, particularly for farmers, who rely on them to protect livestock from predators and to carry out emergency humane euthanasia when animals are in severe pain or suffering and no other practical treatment is available. Earlier this year, Richard added his name to a letter to the Minister organised by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Shooting and Conservation about the increase in licensing fees and the delays in issuing new and replacement licenses: Richard signs letter calling for halt to ‘exorbitant increases’ in firearms licensing fees | Richard Fuller MP.
On 7th March, Richard received a response from the Policing Minister, Dame Diana Johnson MP DBE, in which she laid out her justifications for the increase in fees as well as the pressure she is exerting on Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables to speed up turnaround times for applications. You can read the Minister's response here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18zL3EkYpY/?mibextid=wwXIfr.
In addition to this, Richard and the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), John Tizard, have introduced quarterly catch-up meetings to discuss issues relating to crime that impact North Bedfordshire, including this issue of firearms licencing. In their meeting in February, Mr Tizard confirmed that eleven additional staff members had been deployed to the unit and that the Bedfordshire AI data interrogation software was being applied, with the aim of reducing the backlog within six months: An update from the Bedfordshire PCC on firearms licensing | Richard Fuller MP.
In April, Richard has also visited the Bedford Rifle Club in his constituency where the severe delays and its impact on residents in North Bedfordshire was discussed. You can read more about Richard's visit here: Bedford Rifle Club Visit | Richard Fuller MP
Following his visit to the rifle club, Richard requested a progress update from the PCC and on 15 May, the PCC responded to confirm that while some improvements had been made, the challenges were more significant than first anticipated. The PCC reported that 12 additional officers had been brought into the Firearms Licencing team, and a change project has been initiated to review how to improve automation with the application of the Bedfordshire Nectar AI system. The PCC also reported that two Firearms Enquiry Officers, responsible for enquiries that require physical attendance like the grant of a certificate, and other enquiries such as renewal or variation to a firearms certificate are process by the 6 core or 3 seconded firearms enquiry officers across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. Despite anecdotal reports of better experiences from some licence holders, at the time of reporting approximately 6,000 cases remained in the queue. The PCC made clear that more rapid progress is essential.
In June, Richard met with the Chief Executive of Bedfordshire Police, Trevor Rodenhurst, to discuss the continued challenges with processing firearms licensing. You can read Richard's post about this meeting on his Facebook page here: Facebook.
In July, Richard wrote again to the PCC to request a further update on the progress of processing firearms licences, and asked whether implementation of the changes have lead to better processing times and service delivery, as well as licence holders current experienced of the system. The PCC's office said it would share an update after the Performance and Governance Board meeting in July. It has since advised that the Chief Constable reported Bedfordshire Police implemented the AI-powered Nectar system, which went live in the third week of August. While the system is expected to bring improvements over time, it was acknowledged that both the technology and the associated business processes require significant reform.
The deployment of additional officers and staff has not delivered the expected turnaround, and more substantial changes are now being introduced. The Chief Constable noted that achieving adequate staffing levels without the support of the Nectar system would cost in excess of £4 million.
Bedfordshire’s Deputy Chief Constable and Assistant Chief Officer are now taking a direct interest. The Chief Constables of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire are also monitoring progress.
You can read more about Richard’s work on this issue below.
