Failures by Hertfordshire Constabulary over management of firearms licensing raises concerns over public safety, say inspectors

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire Services (HMICFRS) says that Hertfordshire Constabulary does not collaborate well enough with its colleagues at Bedfordshire Police and Cambridgeshire Constabulary to ensure firearms and shotgun licence applications and renewals are processed in a timely manner.

Inspectors say they have issued the three forces with a cause of concern, issued in scenarios when failings by a police force raise concerns about public safety.

The inspectorate said that at the time of its inspection it found more than 2,000 unanswered emails and said the issue should be ‘immediately prioritised.’

Among the steps the inspectorate said should be taken include ensuring licensing certificates are signed off with delegated authority, updating firearms licensing policy and operating procedures to create consistency across all three forces and improving communication with the public on the issue.

His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Roy Wilsher said: “I have issued an accelerated cause of concern as Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire constabularies’ tri-force collaboration doesn’t effectively manage firearms and explosives licensing to keep the public safe.

“In our inspection we found significant backlogs, with some cases outstanding for up to two years.

“There was limited supervision, not enough training for officers and staff and no standard operating procedure for seizing and revoking firearms licences across the collaboration - creating inconsistencies.

“The desk-based renewal policy for shotgun licences could be leaving the public at risk and poor communication is creating further inefficiencies.

“For example, at the time of our inspection, we identified 2,190 unanswered emails and there was no phone number to allow the public to receive a prompt response from their firearms and explosive licensing unit.

“The forces must immediately prioritise firearm licensing and renewals.

“They need to put in place consistent policies, operating procedures and governance structures and this should be supported by enough resources, including officers and staff with the right skills.

“I am pleased with the forces’ immediate response to our concerns and commitment to improve. I will be closely monitoring their progress.”

In a statement responding to the report the Police and Crime Commissioners for Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire said: “We fully accept the findings of this report and welcome the independent and detailed scrutiny of His Majesty’s Inspectorate, which assists us in our role to hold the police to account on behalf of the public.

“The firearms licensing function has not provided a good standard of service to the public over a prolonged period because of unacceptable systemic issues.

“We have been consistently transparent about this with our communities and recognise the significant impact this continues to have for licence holders and applicants.

“Firearms licence holders, including many at the heart of our rural communities, have been let down and deserved a better service.

“They and the wider community rightly expect effective risk management in such a service.

“As Police and Crime Commissioners, we have been pressing for improvements on behalf of the public and scrutinising performance through our individual governance meetings with Chief Constables and through the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Strategic Board.

“Today there will be an extraordinary meeting of the BCH Strategic Board, which will receive an action plan from the three Chief Constables.

“They have strengthened leadership and management, as well as the governance of the service.

“However, we know more needs to be done to improve service levels and effectively manage risk.

“The Inspectorate’s report recognises that there needs to be a step change in the amount of resources deployed but fundamentally major changes are needed in culture, leadership, timeliness, processes, communication and risk management.

“We and the three Chief Constables are committed to implementing all the recommendations from the Inspectorate robustly and as speedily as possible.

“We will want reassurance that the action plan addresses all the recommendations raised in the HMICFRS report, particularly those relating to risk.

“We will be monitoring implementation and outcomes and holding the Chief Constables to account for a step change in performance and customer service.”

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