informing the police of shooting activity

[Heym SR20]

We had this issue for a while where one individual kept on being a nuisance. He would complain to the farmer and the police about legal deer management going on.

The police did explain to him
in no uncertain terms that he was waisting their time, that the deer stalking was totally legitimate and that he was interfering with lawful activity, and that if he carried on he may face charges.

 

[slider]

I stalk a commercial forest adjacent to my local town where the forest track is well used by walkers. I always inform the police when going out there and once had a call from the police when I was out to confirm my location as they has had a report of a "sniper in the woods". The alternative was probably a full armed response team!

I don't inform them on my other stalking area.

 

[Jeff8861]

Alot of forces have a number you can just text

 

[Tim.243]

I live in an area which is on the edge of a green belt but also urban in places. Of all the places I go to shoot pigeons, I only feel the need to inform the police of my activities when I am in my own local area. On a number of occasions a complaint has been registered by someone and the police always come out to see me.
They have never admitted that they are aware that I have logged the activity.
They always say that they always attend if there is a notification from the public that there is "a man in a field with a gun".

I would be interested in your thoughts on the usefulness of continuing to inform the police of shooting activity as it doesn't appear to do the shooter any good, at least in my experience.

Gave up calling in 10 years ago as they will come out regardless.

 

[pob]

stopped calling them years back, used to travel with a friend to a permission some 45minutes away, we used to start the call to 101 as we started driving, frequently we arrived on the permission before 101 had answered the phone and logged the CAD. They then asked us to call on leaving, what for another 30, 40 minute wait, no thanks.

So we soon stopped calling them.

I had similar experiences hanging online for nearly an hour, until they started the online chat option. But if they ever asked me to call them back when I'd left, it was always a prompt, firm and slightly grumpy "No. I won't be doing that."

 

[VSS]

stopped calling them years back, used to travel with a friend to a permission some 45minutes away, we used to start the call to 101 as we started driving, frequently we arrived on the permission before 101 had answered the phone and logged the CAD. They then asked us to call on leaving, what for another 30, 40 minute wait, no thanks.

So we soon stopped calling them.

Same experience here. By the time you eventually get hold of them it's too dark to shoot anyway!

 

[PEA]

I never call in.

 

[slider]

Same experience here. By the time you eventually get hold of them it's too dark to shoot anyway!

We have a "contact us" email service and I us a repopulated notification form that I just need to amend the time and date on.
I always get a reference number back within 30 minutes

 

[20-250]

I wouldn't call the police to let them know I was carrying out any lawful activity.

 

[jall55]

It's area based. In my area they would just phone to confirm that it was me. No police visit at all.

Now that is far too sensible !

But yes thats what they have done with me in the past when i have logged in
I always logged when out with the lamp but never feel the need with the thermal

 

[jall55]

stopped calling them years back, used to travel with a friend to a permission some 45minutes away, we used to start the call to 101 as we started driving, frequently we arrived on the permission before 101 had answered the phone and logged the CAD. They then asked us to call on leaving, what for another 30, 40 minute wait, no thanks.

So we soon stopped calling them.

And this is true up here too

I also log online sometimes - for when we have a pheasant shoot on - and again that can take an age

 

[nic531]

I have two issues with telling the Police if I am going out shooting. I must say firstly that I have been out of the job for. long time and did a small stint running a control room (couple of months until I could force my way out of the role).
Firstly the bloke going out with a gun legally shooting was given the stats code as a 'firearms incident'
secondly it did not stop a patrol being sent as he may have identified the ground as to the west of 'Smith street in the field, whereas the caller may have said to the East of Blogg st..... same field, but not found as such on computer address search.

 

[25 Sharps]

I live in an area which is on the edge of a green belt but also urban in places. Of all the places I go to shoot pigeons, I only feel the need to inform the police of my activities when I am in my own local area. On a number of occasions a complaint has been registered by someone and the police always come out to see me.
They have never admitted that they are aware that I have logged the activity.
They always say that they always attend if there is a notification from the public that there is "a man in a field with a gun".

I would be interested in your thoughts on the usefulness of continuing to inform the police of shooting activity as it doesn't appear to do the shooter any good, at least in my experience.

I have one farm on the edge of town, where half the town walk their dogs, if stalking or pigeon shooting in here I generally log with the police, it’s the only place I do.

On a couple of occasions I have been reported and on both occasions the police have just called me to confirm it was me and that was it

 

[Dazb1967]

Alot of forces have a number you can just text

I have a generic txt message on my phone, Car Reg, Cert number and where I'll be shooting, Takes no effort and one of the Landowners has requested I inform the police via txt when I'm out and about in the early hours, It really is very simple and hassle free, or at least it is with Northumbria Police

 

[Overlay]

We started phoning in when out lamping new areas and then phoning in to say we had finished,Stopped doing that when they were phoning back at 3 o’clock in the morning to say are you still out.

Email stops all that

 

[Fair Hill]

Well that's not true is it?

My mistake, should have mentioned only applies to about the last 20 years.

 

[gr cz527]

im based in scotland and email a form to inform them i will be shooting in a sensitive area. time, car reg etc. keeps evreyone happy incase a conflict happens.

 

[Smellydog]

They, the police, tried to get me to call in in the 90's.
I refused then and never have or will.

It's the idiot from town with the problem, not me thanks.

 

[Smellydog]

im based in scotland and email a form to inform them i will be shooting in a sensitive area. time, car reg etc. keeps evreyone happy incase a conflict happens.

Really, if there is an incident you are the easy target of investigation.

 

[gr cz527]

in what way would i be an easy target? say i dont contact them and armed response show up due to someone reporting shooting in the area thats not a great place to be.