Norfolk police increase staff to tackle firearms licence backlog

Norfolk and Suffolk police have increased staffing levels by 27% to address a significant backlog in firearms licensing. Despite these measures, Police and Crime Commissioner Colin Sutton warned that applicants for shotgun licences will likely face delays for at least another year.

The force currently manages 38,000 firearms certificates, the highest number in the UK outside of Police Scotland. The backlog is attributed to pandemic-related delays and more rigorous safety checks implemented following a 2021 mass shooting in Plymouth.

While the licensing team is currently making 640 decisions per month, an average of 820 decisions is required monthly to clear the backlog. New software intended to accelerate the process has been ordered but is not expected to be operational until June next year. Without the software, officials anticipate the backlog may not be cleared until 2028. Additionally, Sutton noted the service is financially unsustainable, costing the constabularies £2.2 million annually while generating only £1 million in fees.