Notifying Police Scotland of Shooting

[bluesako]

i dont even tell the wife

 

[Eddie P]

I've only jumped through those hoops once, I was using firearms in a teaching session where people wouldn't expect to see firearms. And that was partly due to me getting it in writing that I could use my firearms outside of my written conditions, they said yes, but to call the call centre of the local force before I started the session.

Over land, I wouldn't.

 

[NoIDeer]

A WhatsApp or text message?

This, a couple of thumbs ups and comments from your farmer and you have your "paper trail". Proof of permission.

 

[MAH]

written or typed note

I agree with FB.
Getting written permission is very important.
A clearly worded text would work for me.
M.

 

[Hod]

I agree with FB.
Getting written permission is very important.
A clearly worded text would work for me.
M.

Absolutely in this day and age.

 

[Wilbur]

I was told that when people inform the police they give you a number to quote but it also gets recorded as a wildlife crime whether or not the law is broken,perhaps there’s a police officer on here that can set this fact true or not,

 

[Hod]

I was told that when people inform the police they give you a number to quote but it also gets recorded as a wildlife crime whether or not the law is broken,perhaps there’s a police officer on here that can set this fact true or not,

I’d be astonished if that’s the case. Surely can’t be - it would stop people advising the police of shooting taking place.

 

[Wilbur]

I’d be astonished if that’s the case. Surely can’t be - it would stop people advising the police of shooting taking place.

One of my friends asked me if I notify the police before I go out foxing as he does,I said I don’t as the amount of people using night vision you might be putting your hand up to being at a place where a poacher might be and the finger would be pointed at you

 

[HonestJohn]

I’d never tell the plod I was going shooting, none of their business whatsoever, and quite frankly wasting police time that they
could be using to play chess and eat doughnuts,,,I mean, catch criminals!
All they need to know is in general where you have permission to shoot, but that’s a ‘for the record’ exercise

 

[rem284]

Unless it's a condition of a night shooting licence then I don't notify the police. I don't tell the police when I am doing other things within the law, for example going fishing

 

[slider]

I was told that when people inform the police they give you a number to quote but it also gets recorded as a wildlife crime whether or not the law is broken,perhaps there’s a police officer on here that can set this fact true or not,

Nonsense, you get an incident number but when you are finished you call/email back and the "incident" is close.

 

[slider]

I’d never tell the plod I was going shooting, none of their business whatsoever, and quite frankly wasting police time that they
could be using to play chess and eat doughnuts,,,I mean, catch criminals!
All they need to know is in general where you have permission to shoot, but that’s a ‘for the record’ exercise

While I wouldn't consider notification a reasonable distance from civilization how is it wasting police time if you as shooting in a very public place?
They get a report from the public on "a sniper in the woods" but know you are there. Give you a call to confirm, job done.
Or would you prefer they called out a armed response unit?

 

[Pellet Pinger]

I notify the Police every outing on one patch I have at the back of the town. It's regularly used by walkers.

A few months ago I got a call from the Police while I was out wanting to check it was me as they had had a report of "someone with a sniper rifle seeking about the woods".

I'd rather notify them that have an armed response unit turn up.

Yep, its just a case of using your loaf in certain circumstances, ive had the call from the police too in the early hours foxing on a golf course on the edge of town.
“Hello, we‘ve had a complaint, man with gun/gunshots, can you come and meet us at your vehicle for a chat please”
Met 2 officers and after a couple of minutes, showing photos of FAC, emails/texts etc i was on my way, no problem.
About half an hour later i had another call from the control room or wherever saying they were just logging the outcome and they advised using the voluntary email notification in future when shooting there.
My initial reaction was sod that! im exercising my legal right to shoot there, slippery slope etc.
On reflection, it made perfect sense to do so, not necessarily just bending over for the police, more to avoid any hassle for the land owner, doesn’t matter how good a job you are doing or how well you get on with them, they wont appreciate a knock on the door at 2 in the morning asking if they have anyone shooting on their land.
I‘d much rather the police know im on the course and if theres an issue contact me rather than bother the land owner at silly o’clock. I don’t do it for any of the other land i shoot on but in this instance it’s no bother to send an email before i shoot there.

 

[Wilbur]

Nonsense, you get an incident number but when you are finished you call/email back and the "incident" is close.

It would still be recorded as an incident whether or not it was closed

 

[Eddie P]

Yep, its just a case of using your loaf in certain circumstances, ive had the call from the police too in the early hours foxing on a golf course on the edge of town.
“Hello, we‘ve had a complaint, man with gun/gunshots, can you come and meet us at your vehicle for a chat please”
Met 2 officers and after a couple of minutes, showing photos of FAC, emails/texts etc i was on my way, no problem.
About half an hour later i had another call from the control room or wherever saying they were just logging the outcome and they advised using the voluntary email notification in future when shooting there.
My initial reaction was sod that! im exercising my legal right to shoot there, slippery slope etc.
On reflection, it made perfect sense to do so, not necessarily just bending over for the police, more to avoid any hassle for the land owner, doesn’t matter how good a job you are doing or how well you get on with them, they wont appreciate a knock on the door at 2 in the morning asking if they have anyone shooting on their land.
I‘d much rather the police know im on the course and if theres an issue contact me rather than bother the land owner at silly o’clock. I don’t do it for any of the other land i shoot on but in this instance it’s no bother to send an email before i shoot there.

What if you say no, I'm too busy to meet you.

 

[Pellet Pinger]

What if you say no, I'm too busy to meet you.

Probably wake the land owner up? or send the helecopter up? I wouldn’t consider wandering round armed with a rifle on my shoulder being too busy to go and confirm my identity to a police officer…..

 

[Tazz]

im very similar scenario

permission on edge of village.. & short walk to town ...property on the farm also and surrounding ...

check zero on .25-06 . 308 & 223 i dont contact them at all

i feel this is something we should NOT be doing or it just potentially end up rod for our back etc..


never had any issues


Paul

Exactly, we have enough “ Actual” regulations let’s not start mission creep to establishing some more

 

[slider]

It would still be recorded as an incident whether or not it was closed

Yes, but if the incident is close it surely can't be recorded as a crime

 

[topscots1]

It would still be recorded as an incident whether or not it was closed

An incident is not a crime, an incident number is the number used to record and archive all information provided, a reference number by another name. It has nothing to do with the crime recording system, unless a crime number is linked to the incident number.

 

[MAH]

I’d be astonished if that’s the case

It does sound too silly to be true.

Alot would depend on the granularity of the reporting software, and what options are available to the operator when logging the call.

And lets not forget, they do count moderators as firearms !

Going back to the OPs question, I've never informed the police I'm going out.
But I always txt the landowner.