ASSISTANT Chief Constable Dave Orford, the new national lead on police firearms licensing, visited BASC’s head office to find out more about the association and shooting sports.
After meeting staff from BASC’s firearms team and touring the Marford Mill communications centre, he discussed strategic licensing issues such as ten-year certificates, inconsistent performance and attitudes to risk across police forces in England and Wales. He also considered how BASC and the police might work more closely to ensure a more consistent service to members.
BASC chief executive Richard Ali said: “With 43 police forces in England and Wales, it is inevitable that there are varying approaches to firearms licensing matters.
“However, by forging a strong working relationship with ACC Orford in his capacity as the national lead on police firearms licensing, as we enjoyed with his predecessor, Chief Constable Andy Marsh, we hope to be able to move the agenda forward and deliver a ten-year certificate.”
ACC Orford, of Durham Constabulary, said: “Learning about the different and diverse needs of the shooting community is vital in my role. I was really glad to be invited to BASC and reassured by their commitment to work with the police service.”
