Surrey first FAC application waiting time?

[NWK]

Hi all, anyone have recent experience w/ Surrey-Sussex 1st time FAC applications? I put one in back in July but not heard anything yet. Website says 28wk minimum wait but hoping they have an under-promise-over-deliver idea in mind!??! Just needing to gauge my patience requirements as every call that comes in I’m thinking “is it, it could be and then…. - thanks in advance

 

[andyk]

According to the BASC league table (see below) it’s about 14 weeks for a new grant.

What are the latest waiting times for shotgun and firearm certificates?

Stay informed on How Long Get Your Shotgun And Firearms Certificates with Shooting UK. Essential updates and expert advice on firearm rules and legal responsibilities.

www.shootinguk.co.uk

However, that seems pretty hopeful given what a lot of people have reported. I’d expect it to be at least what they are saying, but be prepared for longer.

Edit - these are really 2021 figures, and most things point towards timeframes getting worse and not better.

 

[the_greenman]

Friend of mine waited 10 months with Surrey and that was for his job. They sent out the cert but omitted to put any ammunition on it for him. Think that was July/August time and they've only just got round to contacting him after he lodged a complaint via PCC.
Useless incompetents. Good luck with your application!

 

[NWK]

Thanks Andy, yes I think they are pointing now to Covid being the primary contributor to delays but I am sure other factors are at play as well. I think as u say the trajectory looks like it’s going longer rather than shorter on waits. Perhaps someone has recent experience?

 

[NWK]

Friend of mine waited 10 months with Surrey and that was for his job. They sent out the cert but omitted to put any ammunition on it for him. Think that was July/August time and they've only just got round to contacting him after he lodged a complaint via PCC.
Useless incompetents. Good luck with your application!

ok yes I am thinking I need to up my patience levels then! Thanks Greenman

 

[NWK]

I don’t suppose anyone has any more hopeful Surrey-Sussex stories!?

 

[DeerSussex]

I put a variation in this month. All granted & my FAC returned in 2 weeks. I’ve always found Sussex to be good

 

[NWK]

I put a variation in this month. All granted & my FAC returned in 2 weeks. I’ve always found Sussex to be good

Thanks. Yes I sent in my SG cert to clear the table so I cud buy another and that came back super quick. I wonder if it is the interviews for first timers like me on FAC which are creating a backlog?

 

[nun_hunter]

Although the FLD is a collaborated unit between Surrey and Sussex it has always been Sussex driving the customer focus and efficiency while Surrey have been dragged kicking and screaming along, unfortunately in the last year they seem to have dropped back behind to their old ways due to Sussex staff moving on.

 

[martin_b]

I sent in a variation to Lewis about 12 months ago now to remove 2 calibres, and add one, sent it in on the Friday, got a phone call the follwing week just to confirm the details, (they seem surprised I wanted to loose 2 calibres) and got my FAC in variation back the following Monday.
Im thinking of putting in another one now which may be a bit more contentious. (FAC shotgun, and a big Cheytec/Edge/XC, not decided yet) so we'll see how that goes, but im stocking up on supplies first.

 

[the_greenman]

Friends just got his amended licence back. Can confirm Surrey are still just as incompetent as before. Despite him asking for 100 rnds of each... they've allowed him 40 total. Bit tricky when they come in boxes of 50. Appears the department is either doing lots of p#ssy things on purpose or they have no idea what they're meant to be doing in there. I believe PCC has another email inbound!

 

[NWK]

Friends just got his amended licence back. Can confirm Surrey are still just as incompetent as before. Despite him asking for 100 rnds of each... they've allowed him 40 total. Bit tricky when they come in boxes of 50. Appears the department is either doing lots of p#ssy things on purpose or they have no idea what they're meant to be doing in there. I believe PCC has another email inbound!

Oh boy, thanks for letting me know helpful you know what I’m dealing w, looks like I’ll have to take up knitting or something in the meantime to keep me busy

 

[xrt]

My Surrey/Sussex FAC renewal took 32 weeks to process. Nothing complicated about it and it spent most of that time in a pile waiting to be looked at.
The difficult thing isn't the wait but the complete lack of communication. You are specifically told that no updates will be given so don't ask.

There are loads of simple CRM systems that they could use to provide a simple stage feedback to you but they choose not to do that.
My experience is that you save far more time by giving short & regular updates than it ever costs to send them. Especially if they're automated

 

[NWK]

My Surrey/Sussex FAC renewal took 32 weeks to process. Nothing complicated about it and it spent most of that time in a pile waiting to be looked at.
The difficult thing isn't the wait but the complete lack of communication. You are specifically told that no updates will be given so don't ask.

There are loads of simple CRM systems that they could use to provide a simple stage feedback to you but they choose not to do that.
My experience is that you save far more time by giving short & regular updates than it ever costs to send them. Especially if they're automated

Yes it is frustrating to be in total darkness I agree. So by 32 wks u had the FAC in your hands or was that when you got an interview? How long between interview and receipt of FAC if u don’t mind me askin?

 

[Tarquin]

A friend of mine in Surrey is having agro with his renewal. His FAC ran out and they don't recognise that - in Law - they have to offer an 8 week extension. (Renewal sent in in good time etc)
They have now offered sec7 which means he cant buy ammo/primers/firearms.

 

[xrt]

Yes it is frustrating to be in total darkness I agree. So by 32 wks u had the FAC in your hands or was that when you got an interview? How long between interview and receipt of FAC if u don’t mind me askin?

I was all done in 32 weeks. Once the interview happened it moved quick enough - 4 weeks IIRC.

 

[xrt]

A friend of mine in Surrey is having agro with his renewal. His FAC ran out and they don't recognise that - in Law - they have to offer an 8 week extension. (Renewal sent in in good time etc)
They have now offered sec7 which means he cant buy ammo/primers/firearms.

That turned up automatically for me with a short letter explaining that as I'd applied in good order with all the necessary medical etc and well before the cut-off I'd get an 8 week extension. Happened to several of us at about the same time. Luckily I was fully processed before the 8 weeks extension expired. Just.
I really didn't mind the waiting, it was just the lack of comms. Even if they'd offered me an interview date months in advanced I'd have been happier. Pin in the calendar.
The bloke that came was very thorough and professional but obviously mad busy with a stack to get through. Working all hours he was.

 

[NWK]

I was all done in 32 weeks. Once the interview happened it moved quick enough - 4 weeks IIRC.

Great thanks, I’ve just had my interview so all being well only a bit to go!

 

[martin_b]

I sent in a variation to Lewis about 12 months ago now to remove 2 calibres, and add one, sent it in on the Friday, got a phone call the follwing week just to confirm the details, (they seem surprised I wanted to loose 2 calibres) and got my FAC in variation back the following Monday.
Im thinking of putting in another one now which may be a bit more contentious. (FAC shotgun, and a big Cheytec/Edge/XC, not decided yet) so we'll see how that goes, but im stocking up on supplies first.

So 1st week in November I put in for an increase in ammo allowance a section 1 shotgun and a .22LR semi auto, and Ive just had the call from a very helpfull FEO asking if I wanted to add a moderator to the .22LR (I forgot to add it on the origonal request) and a couple of other simple questions.

 

[NWK]

So 1st week in November I put in for an increase in ammo allowance a section 1 shotgun and a .22LR semi auto, and Ive just had the call from a very helpfull FEO asking if I wanted to add a moderator to the .22LR (I forgot to add it on the origonal request) and a couple of other simple questions.

That’s good. Is that Sussex then?