The number of firearm and shotgun certificates revoked in Devon and Cornwall is running at more than nine times than usual, new figures reveal.

The UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), has described the current number of firearms and shotgun certificates being revoked across the two counties as “deeply troubling”.

Figures show levels of firearm and shotgun certificate revocations in Devon and Cornwall have been running over nine times higher than their 10-year average rate.

BASC is calling on Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Alison Hernandez to investigate the issue.

READ NEXT

The statistics have been published following a Freedom of Information request made by BASC on firearms licensing following concerns raised that the licensing department has been acting disproportionately.

Devon and Cornwall Police are currently being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for their involvement in a Plymouth shooting last August in which five people were killed.

Bill Harriman, BASC director of firearms, said: “The FOI was undertaken following a growing number of membership enquiries and stories in the press about this licensing department being overly forceful on certificate holders.

"These findings confirm our concern and are deeply troubling.

“Although the level of revocations remains incredibly low compared to the number of legal firearm owners in the area, the figures do raise serious questions about both the previous and current level of service provided by the department."

From 2008-09 to 2020-21, the Home Office records 390 total revocations of shotgun licences, with an average of 30 per year.

The highest number of revocations in a year in that period was 47, the lowest was 11.

During the last three months of 2021 alone, Devon and Cornwall Police confirm that they have revoked 54 shotgun licences - significantly more than the average annual rate.

From 2008-09 to 2020-21 the Home Office states that there were 165 total revocations of firearms certificates and an average of 13 per year.

The most in one year was 38, the least was three.

Yet in the last three months of 2021 the police confirm that there were 28 total revocations.

“There is no way of telling whether the revocations are evidence of a disproportionate reaction to the deeply tragic Plymouth shooting last August or a historic underperforming service.

"Either way the inconsistent approach is leaving the shooting community disadvantaged.

“Thousands of skilled jobs and livelihoods are supported through shooting activities in the south west, for thousands more shooting is an incredibly popular hobby.

"An inconsistent licensing approach for such a vital lifeline to rural economies is damaging.

“The figures have been sent to Alison Hernandez, PCC for Devon and Cornwall, to make her aware of the situation, and BASC is asking her to investigate the reasons behind such high levels of revocations."