Damning report exposes firearms licensing failures in Beds, Cambs and Herts

BASC has said that a damning inspection report into firearms licensing failures across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire underlines long-standing concerns about under-resourced police firearms licensing units.

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has issued an Accelerated Cause of Concern after identifying significant backlogs, inconsistent procedures and poor communication within the firearms and explosives licensing collaboration.

BASC said the findings mirror those set out in its own firearms licensing report published in July 2025, which showed the unit had gone from being one of the most efficient in the country in 2022 to the worst performing in the UK by 2025. That report identified inadequate resourcing as a central cause, a conclusion now reinforced by HMICFRS.

Despite assurances given to stakeholders at an independent advisory group meeting in February 2025 that a recovery plan was in place, a subsequent meeting in October admitted that performance had deteriorated further.

BASC has consistently warned that delays of up to two years undermine public confidence, place unnecessary strain on lawful certificate holders and compromise public safety.

BASC’s head of firearms, Martin Parker said: “This report confirms what BASC has been warning about for some time. Serious failings were already evident and clearly evidenced in our 2025 report, yet the situation has been allowed to worsen. This is unacceptable given the 133 per cent rise in firearms licensing fees.

“HMICFRS has identified poor and inconsistent decision-making as a risk to public safety. That is an administrative and leadership failure, not a failure of firearms law. The legislation is already robust – it is ineffective licensing practice that creates risk.

“Calls to tighten firearms law or to reclassify shotguns ignore the real issue. Public safety is best served by well-trained licensing teams, clear national guidance and timely, evidence-based decision-making, not by adding further complexity to a system that is already struggling to cope.

“We’ll be seeking meetings with the PCCs for each force and we’ll also be writing to the MPs for the three counties, asking them to raise this with the policing minister as a matter of urgency.”

BASC said it supports HMICFRS recommendations for improved governance, communication and resourcing, and will continue to press government and policing bodies to ensure firearms licensing is properly funded and fit for purpose.