Hampshire Variation so slow ...
- Thread starter GOMX
- Start date
Currently at 9.5 weeks waiting for mine, the previous 2 variations took 6 months and 7 months. By the time I get it back I usually need another one.
Back in the early 1980s when I first started they were quite efficient, then things went downhill. I can't understand why it hasn't been outsourced to G4S or Serco by now.
I suppose you could look at it as a safe storage facility for your FAC..
Back in the early 1980s when I first started they were quite efficient, then things went downhill. I can't understand why it hasn't been outsourced to G4S or Serco by now.
I suppose you could look at it as a safe storage facility for your FAC..
Dorsettaff
Well-Known Member
Dorset aren't much better!
In their defence they are chronically under-resourced and under staffed and are swimming against a tide of cut backs, staff sickness (thro "Stress") and increased bureaucracy.
Doesn't help us though!
In their defence they are chronically under-resourced and under staffed and are swimming against a tide of cut backs, staff sickness (thro "Stress") and increased bureaucracy.
Doesn't help us though!
They have gone down hill very quickly and significantly in the first half of this year; my renewal was done in a matter of days back in January, whereas a variation I put in back in early June (along with a covering letter they suggested I write after speaking to them - I wanted it for a new target rifle for a specific comp in early August) was a very different experience...
Six weeks later I got on the phone to ask where it was to be told very politely by a nice young lady that there were now only two staff working in the office so things were taking a little longer. I explained my frustration to her calmly and requested that if it was possible in any way I'd be grateful if they could deal with my request as quickly as possible. My FAC was returned with variation completed a couple of days later.
I think it is a case of them being under resourced and this corresponding with the 3 year to 5 year swap peak in paperwork.
Call them tomorrow and ask them politely when you can expect the FAC back, you might say something like I am hoping to go stalking shortly and need to produce evidence of my FAC, or I am running low on ammo and can't buy any more without the FAC (can't buy primers to reload either etc.).
Good luck.
Six weeks later I got on the phone to ask where it was to be told very politely by a nice young lady that there were now only two staff working in the office so things were taking a little longer. I explained my frustration to her calmly and requested that if it was possible in any way I'd be grateful if they could deal with my request as quickly as possible. My FAC was returned with variation completed a couple of days later.
I think it is a case of them being under resourced and this corresponding with the 3 year to 5 year swap peak in paperwork.
Call them tomorrow and ask them politely when you can expect the FAC back, you might say something like I am hoping to go stalking shortly and need to produce evidence of my FAC, or I am running low on ammo and can't buy any more without the FAC (can't buy primers to reload either etc.).
Good luck.
G4S!!!!! You don't want that! All details in the hands of a possibly unreliable private company. We got them and it's 12 weeks for a variation.
Currently at 9.5 weeks waiting for mine, the previous 2 variations took 6 months and 7 months. By the time I get it back I usually need another one.
Back in the early 1980s when I first started they were quite efficient, then things went downhill. I can't understand why it hasn't been outsourced to G4S or Serco by now.
I suppose you could look at it as a safe storage facility for your FAC..
I've just received my FAC back from a one-for-one variation (or more accurately a several-for-several because there were various changes).
74 days in all, which isn't great, but is better than I've seen in the past.
I have to say that they have been really helpful when I've contacted them. Also, I've never once in over 30 years had an error on the paperwork received, where it has had to be returned for correction.
So perhaps they're not that bad, or is it just the warm glow you get when it drops on the doormat..?
74 days in all, which isn't great, but is better than I've seen in the past.
I have to say that they have been really helpful when I've contacted them. Also, I've never once in over 30 years had an error on the paperwork received, where it has had to be returned for correction.
So perhaps they're not that bad, or is it just the warm glow you get when it drops on the doormat..?
woollyback
Well-Known Member
I was talking to a representative from the police at a HAD meeting several months ago; He explained the Hampshire Firearms Department have had lots of their mature, experienced administrators leave in a short period of time early this year due to genuine circumstances (retirement, maternity etc) and they are trying to train their new younger staff while trying to work through the back log.
The tramp
Well-Known Member
Three months !!!!! Jeez. You need to move over to Wiltshire. I've had three in three months. None took longer than ten mins.
Granted, I go to Police HQ in Devizes, and do it in person, because the only variation I posted took eight days.
If you want something done quickly, do it yourself, well, take a bit of time to do it 'personally'. That's assuming you can do it personally in hants ?? Anybody know ?
Pete
Granted, I go to Police HQ in Devizes, and do it in person, because the only variation I posted took eight days.
If you want something done quickly, do it yourself, well, take a bit of time to do it 'personally'. That's assuming you can do it personally in hants ?? Anybody know ?
Pete
realtreepat
Member
mine has taken 14 weeks and had gto jump through some serious hoops
bobjs
Well-Known Member
I was told its all down to one man.... i will not name names but when he was seconded to another area it all went well, now he has returned its gone toots up.
7 months and 18 days for a variation,
i may have a hampshire address but i live in wiltshire..
and boy as peter says its fantastic here, just had my cert done and returned to me with both my old one and my new on together as it runs out when im back in Scotland and i need it to allow me to be legal.
little post it note Said: Robert please post your old cert back to me on your return from Scotland regards ?
now thats what you call a first class service.
bob/Robert
7 months and 18 days for a variation,
i may have a hampshire address but i live in wiltshire..
and boy as peter says its fantastic here, just had my cert done and returned to me with both my old one and my new on together as it runs out when im back in Scotland and i need it to allow me to be legal.little post it note Said: Robert please post your old cert back to me on your return from Scotland regards ?
now thats what you call a first class service.
bob/Robert
Aaaah!!! You said it.
In the series, Voldemort is the archenemy of Harry Potter, who according to a prophecy has "the power to vanquish the Dark Lord". Almost no witch or wizard dares to speak his name, instead referring to him by epithets such as "You-Know-Who", "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" or "the Dark Lord".
( god sent 7 plagues upon mankind maybe he miss counted by one )
So how has your complaint gone with the PCC, as their contract is for 60 days maximum on all actions?
Not had anything over 60 days yet on all my requests, some even 48 hours
. Usually 40 days.Stan
sikamalc
Administrator
Gentlemen, whilst I fully sympathise with the situation regarding waiting for so long for a renewal, variation etc THIS is not the place to start putting peoples names on a world wide open forum.
We have had this before and had the police straight onto us asking us to remove the name, and I am not going there again!!
If you have an issue with the local Firearms unit I suggest you write a formal complaint to your local police commissioner, whilst also contacting whatever shooting organisation you are a member of.
Thank you.
We have had this before and had the police straight onto us asking us to remove the name, and I am not going there again!!
If you have an issue with the local Firearms unit I suggest you write a formal complaint to your local police commissioner, whilst also contacting whatever shooting organisation you are a member of.
Thank you.
