Reports of gun cabinet thefts; is it time to review your security?

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There have recently been targeted attacks on the homes of shotgun and firearms holders in the north of England, where whole cabinets have been forced from the walls and removed from the premises. The cabinets have later been found some distance away, with the guns and other property missing. 

We urge members to carefully consider their security. Any suspicious incidents should be reported immediately to the police using the 101 system or online or, if urgent, by 999. The use of the 999 system is entirely appropriate where the theft or potential theft of firearms is involved. Ensure that firearms are mentioned when you ring, and that a response is therefore expected.

Particular attention should be paid to the perimeter security of premises, ensuring that more vulnerable points of entry such as patio doors and access points hidden from view are well secured. 

We should ensure that cabinets are securely fastened to substantial walls. Cameras, recording equipment and alarms should be checked and maintained in good working order. Wherever possible guns should be stored with a component part essential to their operation – e.g. bolt or fore-end – removed and stored elsewhere.

Suspicious incidents which should be recorded and reported include strange vehicles seen, persons acting suspiciously or locks, cameras or alarms tampered with. The reporting of all incidents will enable the police to build intelligence on criminal activity in the immediate and surrounding areas.

The below document from North Yorkshire Police, containing guidance on keeping your firearms and ammunition safe, may also be of interest.

Please click on the image below to view the document as a PDF

Note to Editors:

The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation: The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO) represents the gamekeepers of England and Wales. The NGO defends and promotes gamekeeping and gamekeepers and works to ensure high standards throughout the profession. The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation was founded in 1997 by a group of gamekeepers who felt that keepering was threatened by public misunderstanding and poor representation. Today, the organisation has around 13,000 members.
www.nationalgamekeepers.org.uk