Firearms licensing backlog leaves champion rifle athlete from Peterborough unable to train independently
A champion rifle athlete from Peterborough says her training has been affected for nearly two years – due to the police firearms licensing backlog.
As reported back in January, Cambridgeshire Police, along with Bedfordshire Police, and Hertfordshire Constabulary were criticised over the backlog – with the police inspectorate saying the collaboration of the forces don’t effectively and efficiently manage their firearms and explosive licensing arrangements to keep the public safe. The backlog includes firearms and shotgun licence applications and renewals.
One of those affected by the backlog is athlete Penelope Settas - a three-time British champion with the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF).
It was June 2024 when Penelope applied to renew her firearms licence. Now aged 22, the athlete has been left unable to train independently since.
“I am from Peterborough, having gone to Oundle School, and I train in the UK,” she explained. “I applied to the Cambridgeshire Firearms Licensing Department for my own firearm licence a year and eight months ago, and have still heard absolutely nothing about the status of my application. I have lodged several complaints.
“This whole process has been incredibly frustrating, I am not able to train independently without my own firearm licence. My dad is my coach, but I can only train at a shooting range when he is present, using his licence.”
Penelope, who has Greek heritage, says this has caused issues when she travels abroad to compete at an international level – having recently represented Greece at a competition in Germany. She is hoping to set her sights on the Olympic Games in the future.
“I have since learned, after through a Freedom of Information request with the police, that many more recent applications have been granted, even though I applied almost two years ago now,” she added.
A few days after contacting the Peterborough Telegraph about her story, Penelope says she finally received an update to her application.
"The Firearms Licensing Department has now got in touch with me to say they are “collating the final pieces of information” from my application to allow them to proceed,” she went on. “This is the first contact I have had with regard to my application since I filed it in June 2024.
“My next international event is the ISAS 26 Dortmund competition in Germany in March, so it’d be great to get my licence renewal before then.”
Chief Superintendent Jon Roche from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Firearms and Explosives Licensing Department said: “We recognise the delays being experienced by applicants and remain committed to improving the level of service to all and ensuring all applications are treated equally.”