HDAV
Well-known member
So has anyone had one of the new "unannounced" visits to check security?
Unannounced visits by police, anyone had one?
- Thread starter HDAV
- Start date
Help Support Clay, Trap, Skeet Shooting Forum:
Finners
Well-known member
At the risk of being shot down...........
The BASC have summed this up nicely. In essence the new guidance on these "unannounced visits" do not give the Police any new powers in respect of actually entering your premises.
To be clear, they can just turn up to inspect your security on a whim, but they do not have actual powers to enter, unless they have reasonable suspicion that there are specific grounds to do so.
If they state there ARE grounds, you need to let them in, but in any event, the BASC advise certificate holders to be reasonable and cooperative (my words not theirs)
Fact is, the Police can enter your premises IF the feel they have good reason to do so. That may or may not be anything to do gun ownership.
But specifically in the case of checking gun security, their reason for wanting access does not necessarily have to be due to an act or omission on your part. For example, if there has been a spate of crime in the area, the most obvious being someone locally having their guns nicked.
So, unless you have done something wrong (ie GBH or the like) the Police should still aim to visit at an appropriate time and are required to fully explain why they want entry. It's up to you if you let them in, but the advice is, provided it's at a reasonable time and they have explained why, that you should let them in.
Hope that all makes sense?
EDIT - Sorry, I should have said "No" might have been easier :good:
The BASC have summed this up nicely. In essence the new guidance on these "unannounced visits" do not give the Police any new powers in respect of actually entering your premises.
To be clear, they can just turn up to inspect your security on a whim, but they do not have actual powers to enter, unless they have reasonable suspicion that there are specific grounds to do so.
If they state there ARE grounds, you need to let them in, but in any event, the BASC advise certificate holders to be reasonable and cooperative (my words not theirs)
Fact is, the Police can enter your premises IF the feel they have good reason to do so. That may or may not be anything to do gun ownership.
But specifically in the case of checking gun security, their reason for wanting access does not necessarily have to be due to an act or omission on your part. For example, if there has been a spate of crime in the area, the most obvious being someone locally having their guns nicked.
So, unless you have done something wrong (ie GBH or the like) the Police should still aim to visit at an appropriate time and are required to fully explain why they want entry. It's up to you if you let them in, but the advice is, provided it's at a reasonable time and they have explained why, that you should let them in.
Hope that all makes sense?
EDIT - Sorry, I should have said "No" might have been easier :good:
Last edited by a moderator:
Les
Well-known member
AFAIK, visits will now only be "intelligence led" ...... in other words, only if somebody has made a complaint or something similar, which is pretty much the way it's always been anyway. 
RobertBeard
Moderator
As far as I am concerned my house is open for police visits.
However I would like to know when the police require a search warrant and when one can one refuse entry if they can't produce one?
Furthermore when are they able to remove any contents like computers on which I keep important family and records of three clubs for which I am the treasurer?
Sorry to say but I do not have a lot of faith in the boots on the ground and the care of items seized!
I daresay fishing expeditions fall in this category and I would like to avoid these if at all possible.
As a gun owner I imagine that if anyone makes any sort of malicious anti comments I can expect a mob handed visit from armed response vehicles?
Is one able to refuse entry without a search warrant or as firearms licence holders have we effectively waived certain legal rights?
Bit technical but I am interested.
However I would like to know when the police require a search warrant and when one can one refuse entry if they can't produce one?
Furthermore when are they able to remove any contents like computers on which I keep important family and records of three clubs for which I am the treasurer?
Sorry to say but I do not have a lot of faith in the boots on the ground and the care of items seized!
I daresay fishing expeditions fall in this category and I would like to avoid these if at all possible.
As a gun owner I imagine that if anyone makes any sort of malicious anti comments I can expect a mob handed visit from armed response vehicles?
Is one able to refuse entry without a search warrant or as firearms licence holders have we effectively waived certain legal rights?
Bit technical but I am interested.
Last edited by a moderator:
P
** Pending Removal **
Guest
That is about a grands worth of questions there :laugh:
Finners
Well-known member
Assuming you are referring to Shotguns and not Section 1 Firearms, my understanding of the law is set out in my earlier post. However, as a responsible gun owner, it is incumbent on you to be aware of/read and understand the advice that has been provided by (amongst other the BASC)
If you don't have access to any advice then please let me know and I'll scan it and happily send it to you.
Finners
Well-known member
And................... it seems you owe me £1000. :sarcastic:
Last edited by a moderator:
Does it matter if it's a real Police Firearms Officer, or a Civil Servant ?
Being ex Army i've moved about a lot and have had to renew with new FLDs several times and the Police Firearms Officers have always been personable, pragmatic and sensible in my experience. The chap that recently discussed my renewal application and inspected my security when I moved house (and county) was not a proper copper, and it showed.
Being ex Army i've moved about a lot and have had to renew with new FLDs several times and the Police Firearms Officers have always been personable, pragmatic and sensible in my experience. The chap that recently discussed my renewal application and inspected my security when I moved house (and county) was not a proper copper, and it showed.
Robert, can I suggest that you only begin worrying WHEN and if it occurs. That will cost you nowt !
Having watched a TV programme recently where a 'Police Community Support Officer', who was driving a marked Police Vehicle, had to telephone for the Police to attend to arrest a D & D, then I am afraid that the lunatics are already running the asylum.
Having watched a TV programme recently where a 'Police Community Support Officer', who was driving a marked Police Vehicle, had to telephone for the Police to attend to arrest a D & D, then I am afraid that the lunatics are already running the asylum.
RobertBeard
Moderator
WellI ain't paying so I'd better open the door or let them break it down I suppose!
Bloody ambulance chasers!
Wonko the Sane
Well-known member
You mean to say that not only can an officer of questionable capability just stride in on the whim of a irate neighbor, but some non-uniformed outta the mists who knows WTF he is can as well????? A civil servant - you mean like a clerk???? And you let that happen???? What vacuous interpretation of the so-called law authorizes that insanity?
staggering! You folks are open to just unbelievable abuses
Les
Well-known member
Unfortunately yes. It's what comes from not having a proper constitution, and add to that an archaic 'class' system where the peasants - i.e. the man/woman in the street - are lower than sharks droppings, backed up by large doses of general apathy, then it starts to become clearer why the average Brit is in the situation they are in.
P
** Pending Removal **
Guest
Er.....you asked the questions..... :laugh:
Get the answers (opinions) from who you want.....or get the answers :wink: if you really are wanting them.
:wink:
Rosso
Well-known member
Yawn / Groan / ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz.
P
** Pending Removal **
Guest
Kill that parrot...??
HDAV
Well-known member
No I dont think so only a warrant holder can arrest you (public arrest accepted) or enter your premises without consent they can only enter if they believe a crime is being committed iirc (or to prevent one immenant)
Last edited by a moderator:
P
** Pending Removal **
Guest
Court order anyone...?
I LOVE reading these types of threads....
I LOVE reading these types of threads....
