POLICE have said they have reduced the time it takes to apply for firearm licences.

The time taken to grant shotgun and firearm applications has reduced by a month, to eight months and 10 months respectively.

Shotgun and firearm renewal applications have both been reduced from 11 months to eight months.

Variations to licences have been cut from 35 working days to 20 working days while the change of address process has been reduced by two thirds from 60 working days to 20 working days.

Weapon purchase/sale notifications have been sped up from 25 working days to 20 working days.

The waiting times for all other requests have also been cut from 95 working days to 20 working days.

The improvements come following a report last year that found firearms licensing in Worcestershire was inadequate and was putting the public at risk.

West Mercia Police was one of 11 forces in England and Wales inspected by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC).

Inspectors found the problems at West Mercia concerned the length of time it took to grant or renew a certificate and the proportion of renewal applications completed before the expiry of the current certificate.

Licence holders complained police had not renewed their certificates before old ones had expired even though they had applied in good time.

Steve Millington, firearms licensing manager for West Mercia Police said: "While I acknowledge that there is still work for us to do in terms of reducing these times further, the team are working hard every day to make this happen, and I'm proud of their commitment and their dedication to provide the best possible service.

"I am also grateful for the patience and understanding shown by the public."

He also pointed out that the work was not a rubber stamp process but was carried out to reduce public risk, ensure public safety and scrutinise each request in the interests of the safety and protection of the public.