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Hi all,

Currently working through the probationary courses at Bisley having joined the NRA and will be looking to apply for an FAC after successful completion. I've read that processing times can vary from force to force, can anyone give me an idea of timescales for Thames Valley? Am in the Bucks area if that is relevant.

I'd also heard that the FEO do random, unannounced visits. Do they actually do this or just reserve the right for them to do so? Interested in hearing other's experiences in here around this but I hasten to add just from curiosity, not that I have anything to hide!

There is absolutely no way an FEO should arrive unannounced unless he is tagging along with CO/SO19's or whatever they are's finest... FEO's are usually good sorts and well worth establishing a relationship with, my FEO is typical in that he is straight as a die and always keen to make sure everything is spot on and I have heard him described as everything from a legend to a top chap, never a bad word about him.

Welcome to the forum and good luck with the FAC, no idea re TV so hopefully it will be processed in a timely manner.

I think you'll be looking at a minimum of 6 months.

G_C wrote:Hi all,

Currently working through the probationary courses at Bisley having joined the NRA and will be looking to apply for an FAC after successful completion. I've read that processing times can vary from force to force, can anyone give me an idea of timescales for Thames Valley? Am in the Bucks area if that is relevant.

I'd also heard that the FEO do random, unannounced visits. Do they actually do this or just reserve the right for them to do so? Interested in hearing other's experiences in here around this but I hasten to add just from curiosity, not that I have anything to hide!

frikken ages! just seen a post where it took a year 8 months seems average at the moment although I suspect it will come to a head soon as they are performing well under par and must be on borrowed time.....

kennyc wrote:

G_C wrote:Hi all,

Currently working through the probationary courses at Bisley having joined the NRA and will be looking to apply for an FAC after successful completion. I've read that processing times can vary from force to force, can anyone give me an idea of timescales for Thames Valley? Am in the Bucks area if that is relevant.

I'd also heard that the FEO do random, unannounced visits. Do they actually do this or just reserve the right for them to do so? Interested in hearing other's experiences in here around this but I hasten to add just from curiosity, not that I have anything to hide!

frikken ages! just seen a post where it took a year 8 months seems average at the moment although I suspect it will come to a head soon as they are performing well under par and must be on borrowed time.....

Anthony Stansfield (PCC) had extracted a promise from Chief Constable Habsgood to get another couple of warm bodies for the firearms licensing team, but I don't know if this has happened yet. Might someone not commercially connected with TVP (ie not me) mind emailing the PCC to follow up on this and let us know what he has to say?

kennyc wrote:

G_C wrote:Hi all,

Currently working through the probationary courses at Bisley having joined the NRA and will be looking to apply for an FAC after successful completion. I've read that processing times can vary from force to force, can anyone give me an idea of timescales for Thames Valley? Am in the Bucks area if that is relevant.

I'd also heard that the FEO do random, unannounced visits. Do they actually do this or just reserve the right for them to do so? Interested in hearing other's experiences in here around this but I hasten to add just from curiosity, not that I have anything to hide!

frikken ages! just seen a post where it took a year 8 months seems average at the moment although I suspect it will come to a head soon as they are performing well under par and must be on borrowed time.....

TVP are in the group of 3 worst performing areas in the UK, so as said, 6 months minimum from posting off application, but likely a lot longer than that I'm afraid.

I know a guy that's been shooting for decades, impeccable history and is now on 12 months for a simple renewal.
I've held a FAC for thirty years, squeaky clean history, good shooting record, just waited four months for a simple variation.
TVP are one of the slowest - and that's saying something these days as they're up against some stiff competition.

Ovenpaa wrote:There is absolutely no way an FEO should arrive unannounced unless he is tagging along with CO/SO19's or whatever they are's finest... FEO's are usually good sorts and well worth establishing a relationship with, my FEO is typical in that he is straight as a die and always keen to make sure everything is spot on and I have heard him described as everything from a legend to a top chap, never a bad word about him.

Welcome to the forum and good luck with the FAC, no idea re TV so hopefully it will be processed in a timely manner.

Well that's interesting. I wonder if the instructor at Bisley who mentioned this was just trying to wind us up. So there is no truth that they perform random, unannounced inspections? Unannounced would be a good way of ensuring that you are correctly following safety procedures and not leaving things lying around.

dromia wrote:http://www.full-bore.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=28708

Shame I don't live in Wiltshire! I see that the county by county performance talks about renewal timescales. I don't recall where I read it but I thought I read that initial applications (as mine will be) were quicker than renewals. Any truth in that or am I definitely in for a 6 month wait?