variation in variation times across forces: collecting data

Hampshire
1 for 1 22lr,
1 x FAC Shotgun
1 x 30.06
1 x 50cal Muzzel Loader..
Add Ammo
I knew this variation would take longer then normal but 7 1/2 Months .!!!!!
 
Force: Police Scotland (Fettes)
Reason: One for one variation and target shooting added to certificate.
Time: 4 weeks exactly (delivery to receipt)

When calling to the department for updates during the process, the staff were very friendly and helpful. Significant reduction in staffing numbers and changes to computer system have affected the turn around times for this particular area of Police Scotland (as advised on couple of occasions). Bearing that in mind, happy with the turn around received.

Look forward to seeing the results of your study posted here.
 
Police Scotland (Strathclyde - Pitt Street)
Variation to add a .270.
Sent off form last Monday. I phoned up before I sent it and they said everything was being stopped for a week as they are changing over to Police Scotland and are setting up a new computer system so its likely to take longer than usual. I'm not sure how long they usually take. Will update when I get it back.
 
Northumbria gave me a new caliber in 4 days back in April this year, the last two 1-4-1's have taken around 10 days, one in July, the other last week.
 
It's looked for some time that Fettes has been lagging behind,no wonder with staff reductions of that severity.
This may well help them to make a case for what's needed and wanted by them too.
Well done Mungo.
 
I've had various variations over the 3 years I've held my license and never waited more than a week with any from Cambs. The quickest was 15mins when I dropped my cert & form in they printed a new one while I waited in the foyer as it had already been agreed over the phone with my FEO!! Now that's a good service!!
 
Well, as promised, some preliminary results. Because I only have single or few responses from most forces, I haven't included error bars. Where variations took under a day, they were coded as 0.5 days. It was very revealing to see how many forces are capable of doing a 1-for-1 while you wait.

View attachment 48802

It is clear that Fettes are in a small club of obvously slow forces, and that there is a clear distinction between forces that tend to process in a week or less, and those that take around a month or more.
 
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Seems that forces are either correctly staffed and can do the job properly, ie, around a week or less, or they are understaffed and take much longer, hence no middle ground!
 
Dumfries and Galloway
Application submitted for additional rifle 5th August, phonecall received following afternoon 6th August to discuss application, received updated licence on my door mat 20th August, total of 11 working days. Cannot complain at any of the service I have received from D&G over the years, very professional.
 
Spoke to FEO (Grampian) today, and he apologised for delay, in part due to new computer system being troublesome. Their records still show my SGC as having expired 4th Nov, and no record of additional permission to acquire.
 
Police Scotland (Strathclyde - Pitt Street)
Variation to add a .270.
Sent off form last Monday. I phoned up before I sent it and they said everything was being stopped for a week as they are changing over to Police Scotland and are setting up a new computer system so its likely to take longer than usual. I'm not sure how long they usually take. Will update when I get it back.

Got my license back this morning so that was under two weeks. .270 added with no questions asked. I'm happy with that.
 
Seems that forces are either correctly staffed and can do the job properly, ie, around a week or less, or they are understaffed and take much longer, hence no middle ground!

I agree Stratts.....people can only do what they can with the resources they have available. I am sure there is no force in the country that places a hold on these subjects if they don't need to in consideration of being staffed correctly. This looks to be brought out/alluded to by Mungo study.......is there scope for another FOI regards staffing numbers for specific and specialist areas of responsibility within Police forces around the country, this may especially be specific to changes within the Police structure of Scotland!
 
NORTHUMBRIA,
did my 1 for 1 variation while I waited,in and out in 5 minutes,that was around 4 weeks ago......
 
Applied-----17th march
Feo visit---- a week later
granted-----7th November
total time , wait for it -------- 32 1/2 weeks !!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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