Hampshire Timings

[Jamesheff]

I put in for an SGC back in March. I have still heard nothing. I sent an email this week to ask what stage my application was at and i got an automated reply saying if queries are checking the progress of an application, they won’t be replied to. The service is quite frankly unacceptable, especially considering the fee increase.

Has anyone had any recent dealings with Hampshire Constabulary and can guide me on timings? I have no idea whats going on and I cant even get an answer from them!

 

[the_greenman]

If it's for an initial sgc not a renewal then you're looking at 12 months+ with Hants. They concentrate on renewals and variations with the limited staff they have..

 

[Scuffy]

Speak directly to your FEO
Hampshire has some newer (younger) FEOs who are really helpful.

 

[timbrayford]

Highly unimpressed by the lack of both knowledge and professionalism of Hants FLD!

 

[WW.]

FAC application sent in last Nov/Dec, FEO says no idea how long it'll be.

 

[Jamesheff]

Speak directly to your FEO
Hampshire has some newer (younger) FEOs who are really helpful.

How would one go about this? Tried emailing and I just get an automated reply saying they wont reply regarding timings!

 

[Jamesheff]

FAC application sent in last Nov/Dec, FEO says no idea how long it'll be.

And you’re still waiting?

 

[spanj]

Complain to PCC

 

[Scuffy]

Phone them up and ask them who your FEO is and request their contact details.

 

[WW.]

And you’re still waiting?

Yep. My application also included for a dart gun to use as part of my vet business which supposedly should have meant prioritisation. Sadly the chap retiring whose kit I was going to buy has given up waiting so sold it back to the dealer so I'll be paying a higher price if I do get the cert for it.

 

[Donkey Basher]

My last coterminous renewal was done a day or so before the 8 week extension expired & only then after some very matter of fact communications had taken place including a phone call from the Inspector ic apologising.

Their level of service delivery is appalling & is a far cry from the previous timely & professional experience I’ve always had with them in the past!

 

[Stalker62]

Complain to PCC

@Jamesheff

OK so here is a reality check.

Complaining to the PCC (Donna Jones) with achieve nothing.

Donna Jones knows that the FLD is struggling. Donna Jones knows that Hampshire Police is struggling.

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past decade, everyone knows that every Police Force (sic) is struggling, and the Country is going to Hell in a handcart.



Specifically, with Hampshire (and they are not alone), their Chief Constable retired (under investigation), in April of this year.

The Deputy (Sam de Reya) stepped up to try and steady the ship, whilst a replacement Chief was found. That Chief has now been found (Alexis Boon), and he took over last month.

As frustrating as it is (and it is), further clogging up the system, with 'What's happening?' messages, texts, emails, snail-mails, telegrams or post-it-notes, with achieve the square root of fcuk all.

The hard reality is that new Grants (that may be tautology) will go to the bottom of a very big pile.

It is an utter shambles - but they know it is.





They will put their (currently insufficient) resources to where they are most needed and regrettably, currently, that is not Firearms Licensing.

To the OP. I know it's frustrating, but give the new Chief some grace, to try and turn things around.

Whilst you are waiting, you could take up golf - you will (I fear), have time to get down to a really good handicap...

 

[paulbshooting]

Frustrating. There was a period when the service was good and comms responsed to in a decent timescale. Seems to have gone back to the bad old days. I stupidly thought that the significant increase in cost would fund more resources and improve service

 

[timbrayford]

@Jamesheff

OK so here is a reality check.

Complaining to the PCC (Donna Jones) with achieve nothing.

Donna Jones knows that the FLD is struggling. Donna Jones knows that Hampshire Police is struggling.

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past decade, everyone knows that every Police Force (sic) is struggling, and the Country is going to Hell in a handcart.
View attachment 435379


Specifically, with Hampshire (and they are not alone), their Chief Constable retired (under investigation), in April of this year.

The Deputy (Sam de Reya) stepped up to try and steady the ship, whilst a replacement Chief was found. That Chief has now been found (Alexis Boon), and he took over last month.

As frustrating as it is (and it is), further clogging up the system, with 'What's happening?' messages, texts, emails, snail-mails, telegrams or post-it-notes, with achieve the square root of fcuk all.

The hard reality is that new Grants (that may be tautology) will go to the bottom of a very big pile.

It is an utter shambles - but they know it is.
View attachment 435381




They will put their (currently insufficient) resources to where they are most needed and regrettably, currently, that is not Firearms Licensing.

To the OP. I know it's frustrating, but give the new Chief some grace, to try and turn things around.

Whilst you are waiting, you could take up golf - you will (I fear), have time to get down to a really good handicap...

View attachment 435380

Nevertheless, just as the firearms act places obligations on the shooting community, so it does on administering firearms licensing departments, that is the law!

 

[timbrayford]

Frustrating. There was a period when the service was good and comms responsed to in a decent timescale. Seems to have gone back to the bad old days. I stupidly thought that the significant increase in cost would fund more resources and improve service

The ghost of Groothuis has returned!

 

[long_range_rob]

Surrey/Sussex new grant 15 months plus at present. It appears renewals are at 6 months plus (mine is anyway)

 

[Blaser243]

There is just one person doing variations at the moment. They are pretty quick but have made a few mistakes with mine resulting in them wasting their own time (and mine!) in having to correct things that should have been right first time around. That said, they are helpful and quick.

My latest renewal was very quick, less than a week. So, for existing holders, it doesn't seem too bad?

As for police service going to the dogs - well, nothing new there. The whole infrastructure of this country is on its knees and the police is no exception. Donna Jones is busy campaigning to be mayor and PCC has just been a stepping stone for her political career.

 

[mayflew]

Frustrating. I put in for an initial coterminous grant in Hants early July; I was naïvely hoping I might be have it before the end of doe season. Seems like that won't be happening.

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

BASC has been fighting for improvements in service and whilst some forces are doing well and others are getting there, many are lagging behind. During last year's PCC elections and general election BASC made this a key issue for shooters to engage in, and this continues to be a key message for us for the upcoming party conferences. First up is Reform.

The following BASC report goes into the detail across every force in England and Wales.

BASC publishes most comprehensive firearms licensing report to date

BASC has published a major new report reviewing the performance of police firearms licensing departments in England and Wales.

basc.org.uk

What will help improve things for everyone is joining BASC is you are not already a member - that goes for everyone commenting on this thread - there are some 650,000 SGC/FAC holders and 150,000 are BASC members.

 

[Magnus03]

Yep. My application also included for a dart gun to use as part of my vet business which supposedly should have meant prioritisation. Sadly the chap retiring whose kit I was going to buy has given up waiting so sold it back to the dealer so I'll be paying a higher price if I do get the cert for it.

Hey WW. Any joy in the last few weeks?
I would have applied literally near enough same time as you.... the waiting game is taking its toll on my patience