Thames Valley Police FAC renewal backlog?

[Dark Skies]

Has anyone else in the TVP area experienced overlong delays in FAC renewals?

Mine expires a week into the beginning of February so I put in my papers mid October.
Had the local enquiry officer round mid December. I furnished the requested proof of good reason a few days later - signed records from my clubs. Haven't received my new FAC to date. No reason to think there is a problem with referees and my circumstances haven't changed. I wondered if there is something of a backlog at the moment.

TVP's website says:

"Please note that due to the high volume of work that we are currently experiencing there is a delay in carrying out the background checks. As a consequence of this we may be unable to process grant applications within 60 working days."

As mine is a renewal and it's been 98 days this seems overly excessive. TVP have always been pretty good until now.

If it's not here by Monday I'll have to put in for a section 7.

[R4CER]

Call them and complain I did when mine was to long !! your paying for a service don't be shy

[kennyc]

I had a one for one take over a month last year, the "high volume of work" has been the norm for at least the last 3 years

[dodgyrog]

120 days in County Durham to renew a Black Powder licence!!!

[SevenSixTwo]

I don't know how you lot have the patience - I'd be going yampee.

[meles meles]

When ours took more than the traditional 10 days we sent a registered letter to the Chief of Plod. We received a telephone call to apologise and our renewed stiffycate was hand delivered the day after. You are paying for a service, demand it. After all, if you infringed on your side of the deal they'd send a car load of burly ploddosaurs to kick your door down...

[mag41uk]

This is bad news as I am just filling in the paperwork for my renewal with TVP for beginning of April.
I was hoping to get into S class this year so putting in for a suitable rifle.
On this basis it looks like it will be 2016 before I have the gun and loads sorted!

Tony

[Sim G]

If it's not here by Monday I'll have to put in for a section 7.

A temp cert is just as labour intensive as an FAC/SGC. If they could issue one of these in time, they'd have the facility to issue your certificates.

Your renewal has been approved, you're just waiting for the paper. I wouldn't sweat it.

[R4CER]

When ours took more than the traditional 10 days we sent a registered letter to the Chief of Plod. We received a telephone call to apologise and our renewed stiffycate was hand delivered the day after. You are paying for a service, demand it. After all, if you infringed on your side of the deal they'd send a car load of burly ploddosaurs to kick your door down...

Above is 100% you are paying for a service, its not your problem !! any more than a week and I am on the phone as it impacts on your sport as well as the legality of transporting your guns and all that goes with that !! The law needs changing and we should get a part of the licence to hold while mods are being done to ours as well as a maximum time that we should be without ? if it is your driving licence and such its instant.

[Christel]

I would contact them just to make sure it has not been lost in the post. I had an European Firearms Pass lost in the post, when our departure date was approaching I contacted them and was told it had gone out....panic...

Section 7 is a waste of time and should only be issued in exceptional circumstances, yes I know it is there to cover the shooter if no FAC but as SimG points out it takes the same time to process.