Merseyside Police carry out inspection at Anfield gun club

[Pippin89]

I was just about to post a link to this site as I came across it. Also on the site are links to the letter from the Home Office and the reply which are very enlightening.
Reading the letter from the home office, I must admit, I was deeply alarmed by what they were saying. However, reading the reply seems to make sense of it all. Which version is to be believed, of course, unknown and likely will never be known.

But if I was judge, jury and executioner.... it sounds to me as though a report has been filed by a local officer outlining some concerns over paperwork, house-keeping and a few bad practices. This report has then been read by someone at the home office who has mis-understood the gravity of the situation and taken very extreme action! Possibly the line about a members son being known to police for organised crime was a mood swinger.... Someone definitely needs to answer for the incorrect storage of guns on the clubs side (safe or not it was seemingly not in keeping with the wording of the various certificates). And someone needs to answer on the Police/Home Office side for how this situation has been handled. I find the letters to members threatening their FAC's to be particularly concerning. Especially considering the club had not had a chance to reply to the letter issued to them!

But then I am the other end of the country so the only details I have to go on is what I have read online so thankfully I am not responsible for making those calls!

[Gazza]

So what is the reason for the revocation and confiscation? or did I miss it somewhere?
Its a bit much to ask people to hassle police/MP's etc without knowing why they are hassling them!

And no receipts for goods taken???
I take it the whole operation was recorded on film?

If you dont mind visiting a horrible gun related website ,
you will see copies of the Home Office letter and the responce .

Yes, sorted.
Instead of showing a page on clicking the links it downloaded PDF's
I am now deleting 30 PDF's

[Gazza]

Sounds to me like the rozzers had an agenda and were making things fit.

Who has a legible signature?

[Pippin89]

Sounds to me like the rozzers had an agenda and were making things fit.

Who has a legible signature?

I certainly don't... However, by the sounds of it members are signing themselves in when they attend and if that is illegible and something went wrong you could understand why they may have an issue not knowing who is there....
At my club someone on duty signs everyone in every night so it is all on one register with one persons hand writing. The only thing I sign is on the register at the end of the night to confirm I have left my ammo in the lock box (as I don't have an FAC at the moment)

[MistAgain]

Sounds to me like the rozzers had an agenda and were making things fit.

Who has a legible signature?

Just checked a certain ACC's signature and parts of it look more like my signature.

[Chapuis]

[quote="Gazza"]

Who has a legible signature? [/quote

That's why you need to have a suitable system in place to ensure that members can be identified, such as printing your name in addition to signing. It sounds like the club was previously advised of that.

The reasons given in the H.O. letter would certainly justify revocation if the information is correct. The written response given was also good. However I find it strange that a person who has been refused both a FAC and a SGC has continued to be made welcome at the club. All the clubs that I have had dealings with would not entertain such a situation.


I find it interesting that this was a joint agency inspection and strongly suspect that Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service will be in contact with the responsible person in due course. Rifle ranges by their very design can present a unique challenge regarding fire safety arrangements.

[Pippin89]

However I find it strange that a person who has been refused both a FAC and a SGC has continued to be made welcome at the club.

Especially the SGC. FAC there could be many reasons why one would be refused through no fault of the applicant. SGC they have to have a reason for you not to have one.....

[MistAgain]

Who has a legible signature? [/quote


I find it interesting that this was a joint agency inspection and strongly suspect that Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service will be in contact with the responsible person in due course. Rifle ranges by their very design can present a unique challenge regarding fire safety arrangements.

As I understand it , the Fire Service has requested that a fire alarm button be installed in the upper range .

[Sim G]

Reading the Home Office letter it is clear why the revocation of approval and no doubt club FAC. It also appears from the letter that advice had been offered in the past and evidently, not heeded.

Seems Mr Taylor chose to run things as he saw fit. At best lackadaisical, at worst criminally culpable. The whole scenario for the 280 other members could actually be saved with the present club and premises, but Mr Taylor certainly wouldn't like how....

[HH1]

The whole scenario for the 280 other members could actually be saved with the present club and premises,

Options along these lines are already being considered ........