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Source · IOPC Learning Case

Recommendation - Avon and Somerset Constabulary, March 2021

Avon and Somerset Constabulary Ref: 2020/135980 Recommended 5 Mar 2021 Response due 30 Apr 2021

View on IOPC website ↗

Case background

Text published by the IOPC.

We identified organisational learning from a review of a local police investigation. Reports led to the police making a decision to revoke a shotgun licence and seize three shotguns. The guns were seized but no receipt was provided to the owner who indicated the APP for Major Investigation and Public Protection - Firearms Licensing stated a receipt should be provided in line with Home Office guidance. That guidance indicates some guns can have considerable monetary value.

Recommendations and responses

1 indexed

Recommendation 1

Link to recommendation · Accepted

Addressed to: Avon and Somerset Constabulary

Linked bodies: Avon and Somerset Police

IOPC recommendation

​The IOPC recommends that Avon & Somerset Constabulary should put in place a mechanism by which a receipt is provided when firearms are seized in line with the Authorised Professional Practice Major Investigation and Public Protection - Firearms Licensing.

A member of the public complained they had not been given a receipt when their firearms were seized during an operation to do so where the firearms certificate had been revoked.

Response published by the IOPC

Do you accept the recommendation?

Yes

Accepted action:

Procedural Guidance changed to include officers providing receipts when seizing firearms and to update niche. Change shared directly with Operations department via the Firearms Licensing Manager.

Check the original case on the IOPC website