FOI 29527

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: HRC0029527/26

I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 8^th September 2026. Please find below the response to your request:

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 concerning the processing of shotgun certificate applications and renewals by your force.

Please provide the following information:

1. The current average processing time, in days, for a new shotgun certificate application.
2. The current average processing time, in days, for a shotgun certificate renewal.
3. The number of new shotgun certificate applications currently awaiting determination.
4. The number of shotgun certificate renewal applications currently awaiting determination.
5. The oldest outstanding shotgun certificate application or renewal, expressed as the number of days it has been awaiting determination.

If your force does not record an exact average processing time, please provide the closest equivalent information that you routinely record.

For the avoidance of doubt, this request relates only to shotgun certificates. I am not requesting information concerning firearm certificates or other firearms licensing matters.

Reply

1. The current average processing time, in days, for a new shotgun certificate application.

141 Days

1. The current average processing time, in days, for a shotgun certificate renewal.

39 days

1. The number of new shotgun certificate applications currently awaiting determination.

150

1. The number of shotgun certificate renewal applications currently awaiting determination.

223

1. The oldest outstanding shotgun certificate application or renewal, expressed as the number of days it has been awaiting determination.

Oldest shotgun grant application still pending is from April 2025 (480 days approx.) Oldest shotgun renewal application still pending is from February 2026 (150 days approx.)