UPDATE: TVP FAC/SGC Renewals

[Sighthound]

Well, finally got my FAC (first grant) from Thames Valley Police last week (dropped through the letterbox when I was away) after 7.5 months, but only due to firm, polite but persistent chasing every two weeks. Didn't get seen by my FEO 'till June and its taken since then for it to be processed. In the end, I sat on the phone and insisted they go find my paperwork and give me a date when I could expect to receive it. I realise this is probably at some other poor buggers expense, but if you don't ask, you don't get!

On the upside, I did get slots for the .308, mod, and 200 rnds ammo that I requested.

Now off shopping at the weekend and will hopefully get set up in time as I have a couple of stalks booked with SikaMalc next week!

 

[I. Farticus]

...and so the sorry saga continues.

This from Tusker, earlier today:
"my mate sent off for his application end of May. He hasn't heard anything so he called them today politly asking when he could expect visit etc. He was told he would be lucky to get anything before Christmas. Any one else experiencing such delays. My nephew put in for his about 2 months ago and has got his visit next week here in Sussex.
Tusker"

 

[nicowilson]

TVP are now sending out shotgun renewal letters 6 months in advance of the renewal date.

 

[I. Farticus]

TVP are now sending out shotgun renewal letters 6 months in advance of the renewal date.

I don't think that's new news to be honest, as it's been the case for a while, given the sh*t state they're in. Didn't they suggest you co-term your SGC when you got your FAC??

 

[kennyc]

TVP are now sending out shotgun renewal letters 6 months in advance of the renewal date.

yes, but they don't look at them until the due date by which time they are buried under a foot of other paperwork

 

[nicowilson]

I don't think that's new news to be honest, as it's been the case for a while, given the sh*t state they're in. Didn't they suggest you co-term your SGC when you got your FAC??

Yes. The letter was received by Mrs W.

 

[I. Farticus]

Yes. The letter was received by Mrs W.

Oh, she'll be happy!!! All that can be done is complete the paperwork, ping out a pleasant email cc'ing the correct people, and wait in line.

 

[I. Farticus]

Two things spring to mind:
1. Every time a new rifle/gun/mod is bought, it generates paperwork which needs to then be manually input at Kidlington. Why don't they send out an mandatory edict to all FAC & SGC holders that they will only accept stuff electronically, so that it can just be attached to each of our files?

2. 2 new bodies won't make a dent in that pile. They need a couple of dozen folks that can just blitz it. Call me old fashioned, but I'll bet that there are a potload of Partners of licence holders (Why? Because they'll already be known in the system) that would like some extra income before Christmas, even at minimum wage +10% for a month.

 

[dave 67]

Heard on the grapevine that the RFD's in the TVP area have started to apply pressure were they can as it costing them business.

The one I was talking to has a lot of rifles in storage for people who's section 1 certificates have expired, also a good bit of section 5 expanding as this can't be held on a temp cert.
He was also telling me they are no longer accepting deposits on rifles that are on the shelf for sale as there is no way of knowing how long a section 1 variation will take!! better to leave it up for sale on the off chance someone else will buy it.

The whole thing is a shambles, if the normal bau policing was being handled like this heads would have rolled well before now.
Not sure how they are getting round the duty of care to the general public that they have by letting things get this bad, heaven forbid that someone on a temp licence goes off the rails as we would bare the brunt of their failings.

 

[dave 67]

Two things spring to mind:
1. Every time a new rifle/gun/mod is bought, it generates paperwork which needs to then be manually input at Kidlington. Why don't they send out an mandatory edict to all FAC & SGC holders that they will only accept stuff electronically, so that it can just be attached to each of our files?

I did discuss this very point with my FEO at renewal, the response I got was that there are RFD's and licence holders out there that are still on paperwork and not in the electronic world.
So to service the electronic and the paperwork they would have to run two systems and that's just not possible at the moment as the cost is prohibitive.
Would be so much better if it went electronic and we had a card along the bank card route, the chip holds all your info goes into a machine at the RFD's this updates the system and knows what you are allowed to have.
No one for ones or variations all it would need is for you at grant/renewal discuss what you need authority for and its added to your file.
Any private transactions email in or create a log in system that when you enter the serial number on to your file it removes it for the sellers.
This would free up the staff to deal with other things, guess the funding would have to come centrally from the state so won't get off the ground.

2. 2 new bodies won't make a dent in that pile. They need a couple of dozen folks that can just blitz it. Call me old fashioned, but I'll bet that there are a potload of Partners of licence holders (Why? Because they'll already be known in the system) that would like some extra income before Christmas, even at minimum wage +10% for a month.

They will catch up once the 5 year peak slackens off, but that won't help in the short term.

 

[kennyc]

Two things spring to mind:
1. Every time a new rifle/gun/mod is bought, it generates paperwork which needs to then be manually input at Kidlington. Why don't they send out an mandatory edict to all FAC & SGC holders that they will only accept stuff electronically, so that it can just be attached to each of our files?
.

I have sent my last couple of aquisitions via email with hardcopies to follow, I got a nice reply telling me hardcopies are not required so I suspect the system is already partly computerised, although they say on their webpage that you must post the aqusition, they also supply an email address, just another little rough corner that could be "knocked off " to smooth things

 

[dave 67]

Kenny C do you get an automated response to say they have received it?
If you do, will start to use it in the future just stayed on snail mail at the moment as you have proof of delivery if they come back to say you didn't sent the paperwork in.

 

[kennyc]

Kenny C do you get an automated response to say they have received it?
If you do, will start to use it in the future just stayed on snail mail at the moment as you have proof of delivery if they come back to say you didn't sent the paperwork in.

yes I got an automated reply and then this

Dear Mr C
It is not necessary for you to send a hard copy via post.

Kind regards

Zoey Evans I Firearms Licensing Manager I Firearms & Explosives Licensing Department I
Tel: 01865 846566 I Fax: 01865 293826 I Email: zoey.evans@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk I
Address: Thames Valley Police HQ, Oxford Road, Kidlington, OX5 2NX

 

[dave 67]

Kennyc thanks for the reply.

 

[oxonhunter]

I sent my renewal forms back to TVP on the Nov 2015 and i still haven’t had my Fac or ShotGun permits back yet

i have phoned them to see what’s going on and they said they have a big backlog
and there months behind but They did say i will get a temporary permit

LIKE I SAY i sent my renewal forms back to TVP back in Nov 2015 i and I received a temporary permits on 17/4/2016
the Temporary Permits ran out on the 16/10/2016.

The Firearms officer gave me a call 3 months ago saying as nothing has changed
he can deal with it over the phone and i he said i should receive my new FAC and SG certificates in the couple of weeks time

Guess what arrived??? Last month Another Temporary Permit
im not happy what is going on with TVP

 

[kennyc]

I sent my renewal forms back to TVP on the Nov 2015 and i still haven’t had my Fac or ShotGun permits back yet

i have phoned them to see what’s going on and they said they have a big backlog
and there months behind but They did say i will get a temporary permit

LIKE I SAY i sent my renewal forms back to TVP back in Nov 2015 i and I received a temporary permits on 17/4/2016
the Temporary Permits ran out on the 16/10/2016.

The Firearms officer gave me a call 3 months ago saying as nothing has changed
he can deal with it over the phone and i he said i should receive my new FAC and SG certificates in the couple of weeks time

Guess what arrived??? Last month Another Temporary Permit
im not happy what is going on with TVP

then you need to start writing to your MP the Crime Commisioner for Thames Valley and the Chief Constable and possibly even the PM as this is not even close to satisfactory!

 

[oxonhunter]

then you need to start writing to your MP the Crime Commisioner for Thames Valley and the Chief Constable and possibly even the PM as this is not even close to satisfactory!

i phoned TV HQ today and they said there sorry but they have big backlog and can i phone back next week
well they look into it and find out whats going on

so i gave my local FAO call the one they called me to deal with renewal over the phone
and he said he can’t remember phoneing me / dealing with it over the phone.

 

[kennyc]

i phoned TV HQ today and they said there sorry but they have big backlog and can i phone back next week
well they look into it and find out whats going on

so i gave my local FAO call the one they called me to deal with renewal over the phone
and he said he can’t remember phoneing me / dealing with it over the phone.

dont bother with ringing them, WRITE to them and anyone who is involved, phone calls can be forgotten/misremembered letters and emails have a nasty habit of hanging around and biting them in the ass at a later date!

 

[oxonhunter]

dont bother with ringing them, WRITE to them and anyone who is involved, phone calls can be forgotten/misremembered letters and emails have a nasty habit of hanging around and biting them in the ass at a later date!

ok thanks bud ill send a letter to
Ms Zoey Evans, Firearms Licensing Manager and see if i get anything back

 

[kennyc]

ok thanks bud ill send a letter to
Ms Zoey Evans, Firearms Licensing Manager and see if i get anything back

copy it to the Chief Constable (chief.constable@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk<chief.constable@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk) and also your PCC (PCC@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk)
you really have waited far too long, either they have a reason to deny you an FAC,in which case they should tell you, or they are being incompetent with the licencing process.
politely point out the main facts of your case (preferably in short bullet points) and ask what is being done to remedy this farce.