Delays in getting firearms licences in Shropshire are getting worse, and the region's police and crime commissioner has been pressing for swift improvements.
In March, West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion increased investment into the Firearms Licensing Unit by £200,000.
But despite the funding Mr Campion said there had been a 24 per cent increase in the backlog of shotgun renewal applications since May – now standing at more than 600, as part of an eight per cent overall increase in backlog of demand in the same period. He said that while West Mercia has the highest volume of firearms licences in the country, and public safety is the focus, he had"significant concerns" over the situation, which is"failing the reasonable expectations communities expect".He said:"Lawful firearms are part of the rural way of life and its economy. I have heard frequently from residents, business owners, MPs and councillors about the current unacceptable delays.
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