Vectis Shooting Log

What Should You Do If Your Firearm or Shotgun Is Lost or Stolen in the UK?

Security & Storage 29 April 2026 By Ashley Marshall

A practical UK guide to reporting a lost or stolen firearm, shotgun, certificate, or ammunition, and what the police will expect next.

What Should You Do If Your Firearm or Shotgun Is Lost or Stolen in the UK?

Quick Answer

Immediately contact the police if your firearm, shotgun, certificate, or related ammunition is lost or stolen in the UK. You must also notify your local police firearms licensing department within seven days, providing full details of the incident and items taken.

# What Should You Do If Your Firearm or Shotgun Is Lost or Stolen in the UK? ## Quick Answer If your firearm, shotgun, certificate, or related ammunition is lost or stolen in the UK, you should contact the police straight away and make sure the licensing department is told within seven days. The law expects prompt notification, and the police will usually want clear details about what happened, what was taken, and what security measures were in place. ## What is the first thing you should do if a firearm or shotgun goes missing? The first step is to treat it as an urgent police matter, not an admin task. If you discover that a firearm, shotgun, certificate, or relevant ammunition is missing, stolen, or cannot be accounted for, contact the police immediately through the appropriate reporting route. If there is any immediate risk to public safety, use 999. If the situation is discovered after the event and there is no immediate threat, report it through 101 or your force's online reporting route, then follow up with your firearms licensing department. Acting quickly matters for two reasons. First, the police may have a chance to recover the item before it moves further into criminal hands. Second, your own position as a certificate holder is stronger if you can show that you responded responsibly and without delay. ## What does the law say about reporting loss or theft? UK firearms law expects certificate holders to notify police quickly when key items are lost, stolen, destroyed, or deactivated. The Firearms (Amendment) Rules 2021 clarified the condition attached to firearm and shotgun certificates. The explanatory note states that the holder must inform the chief officer of police by whom the certificate was granted as soon as reasonably practicable and, in any event, within seven days, if a certificate is stolen, lost, or destroyed, or if any firearm, shotgun, or ammunition to which the certificate relates is stolen, lost, deactivated, or destroyed in Great Britain. That seven day limit is the outer edge, not the recommended target. In practical terms, same day reporting is the safest course whenever possible. ## Which police force should you tell? You should notify the force that granted your certificate, and you should also report the incident to the force covering the place where the loss or theft happened if that is different. For example, if you live in Hampshire but discover a theft while staying overnight in Yorkshire, the local force may deal with the crime report while your home licensing force will deal with certificate and suitability issues. Making both sides aware early reduces confusion and helps prevent delays. Keep a note of: - the incident or crime reference number - the date and time you reported it - the name or identifier of the officer or staff member you spoke to - any email sent to the licensing department That paper trail can be very helpful later. ## What details will the police usually ask for? The police will usually want a clear factual account, not a defensive one. Be ready to provide: - the firearm or shotgun type, make, model, calibre, and serial number if known - whether ammunition was also lost or stolen - where and when you last had confirmed possession - where and when you discovered the loss - how the item had been stored or transported - whether keys, bolts, magazines, or cabinet access were also compromised - whether there is CCTV, witness evidence, or signs of forced entry If you use Vectis Shooting Log or keep a digital asset list, this is where organised records save time. Having accurate serial numbers and recent possession notes can stop a stressful situation becoming even messier. ## Can losing a firearm affect your certificate? Yes, it can, because the police will look at both the crime itself and your handling of security. The Home Office statutory guidance for chief officers of police is built around public safety and ongoing suitability. Police must assess whether a certificate holder can continue to possess firearms without danger to public safety or the peace, and they are expected to review new information that raises concern. A lost or stolen firearm does not automatically mean revocation, but the circumstances will matter a great deal. Questions the police may ask include: - Were reasonable precautions taken? - Was the firearm left in a vehicle, and if so for how long? - Was it visible or obviously identifiable? - Were keys or entry methods easy to access? - Were there wider security weaknesses at home or during transport? If your precautions were sensible and the theft still occurred, that is very different from leaving a gun bag on display in an unlocked car. ## How common are lost or stolen firearms in England and Wales? The number is small compared with the total number of certificated firearms and shotguns, but it is still significant. According to Home Office firearm and shotgun certificate statistics for the year ending 31 March 2025, **455 firearms and shotguns were reported as lost or stolen** in England and Wales. Of those, **143 were recorded as lost and 312 as stolen**. The Home Office says this equated to **0.02%** of the firearms and shotguns covered by certificates on issue during the same period. Those figures show two things at once. Loss or theft is not routine for responsible certificate holders, but it happens often enough that police and the wider shooting community take it very seriously. ## What if the loss happened from a vehicle? A theft from a vehicle is one of the situations that draws the closest scrutiny. Home Office security guidance has long stressed that vehicles are for temporary transit, not casual storage. If a stop is unavoidable, the expectation is that firearms are hidden from view, the vehicle is locked, and additional sensible precautions are taken where practical, such as separating ammunition and keeping essential operating parts with you. If a firearm is stolen from a vehicle, the key issue is not whether there was a specific rule saying you could never leave it there. The real question is whether your precautions were reasonable in the circumstances. A brief fuel stop handled carefully is different from leaving shooting kit unattended for hours in a public car park. ## Should you also tell your insurer and club? Usually yes, if either is relevant. If the lost or stolen item is insured, notify the insurer promptly and keep copies of all correspondence. Delayed reporting can create unnecessary friction with a claim. If the item relates to club activity, such as a firearm being taken during travel to or from a range day, it may also be sensible to inform the club secretary or organiser. That is especially true if witnesses, attendance records, or timing details may help confirm what happened. ## What should you do after the initial report? After the first report, focus on accuracy, follow-up, and prevention. A sensible next-step checklist is: 1. Confirm the police reference number. 2. Email your licensing department with the core facts if you have not already done so. 3. Prepare a written inventory of what was lost or stolen. 4. Check whether cabinet locks, house keys, vehicle keys, alarm codes, or digital access need changing. 5. Record the incident for your own files, including dates and names. 6. Review storage and transport habits before your next outing. If the item was a certificate rather than a firearm, you still need to report it. The same goes for ammunition covered by the certificate. ## How can you reduce the chance of this happening again? The best prevention is boring, repeatable discipline. That usually means: - keeping an up to date record of serial numbers and photographs - avoiding visible gun cases in public places - using proper cabinet security at home - planning overnight travel before setting off - not relying on a vehicle as storage - separating key parts and ammunition when practical - reviewing who has access to keys and codes BASC's firearms security advice and the Home Office security handbook both point back to the same principle. Security is not one purchase. It is a chain of sensible habits. ## How can Vectis help if something goes wrong? Vectis cannot replace the legal duty to report to police, but it can make your records much easier to retrieve under pressure. A well-kept shooting log can help you confirm recent use, possession dates, ammunition movements, and notes about transport or range attendance. In a stressful moment, that can give you a clearer timeline and more accurate information for the police, your insurer, and your own records. ## Key Takeaways - Report a lost or stolen firearm, shotgun, certificate, or relevant ammunition immediately, then make sure the licensing force is informed within seven days. - The Firearms (Amendment) Rules 2021 make prompt notification a certificate condition. - Police will usually examine both the incident itself and the precautions you took. - Home Office statistics recorded 455 lost or stolen firearms and shotguns in England and Wales in the year ending 31 March 2025. - Good records, clear serial numbers, and calm follow-up make a bad situation easier to manage. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Do I have to report a lost shotgun certificate as well as a lost shotgun? Yes. The reporting duty covers the certificate itself as well as firearms, shotguns, and relevant ammunition. If the certificate is lost or stolen, tell the police and your licensing department promptly. ### How long do I have to report a lost or stolen firearm in the UK? The certificate condition requires you to notify the chief officer as soon as reasonably practicable and in any event within seven days. In practice, you should report it immediately. ### Will I lose my certificate if a gun is stolen? Not automatically. Police will look closely at the circumstances, especially the security measures you took. A responsible response and sensible precautions matter a great deal. ### Should I call 999 or 101 if a firearm is stolen? Use 999 if there is an immediate threat to life or public safety, or if the theft is ongoing. Use 101 or the local reporting route if the theft is discovered afterwards and there is no immediate emergency. ### Do I need the serial number before I contact the police? No. Report the incident first, then provide the serial number and fuller details as soon as you can. Still, keeping an up to date record of serial numbers makes the process much smoother. ### What if ammunition was taken but the firearm was not? You should still report it. The reporting condition covers ammunition to which the certificate relates, not only the gun itself. ### Can a firearm theft from a car cause problems at renewal? Yes, it can. Police may review whether your transport and security arrangements were reasonable, and that can affect how they assess your suitability later. ### Should I tell my insurance company as well? If the item is insured, yes. Notify the insurer promptly and keep the crime reference number and all supporting details together. ### Can Vectis replace the official police report? No. Vectis is a record-keeping tool, not a legal reporting channel. It helps you retrieve accurate information quickly, but the legal duty is to notify the police.

Related Knowledge Centre answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to report a lost shotgun certificate as well as a lost shotgun?

Yes. You should report the certificate itself as well as any firearm, shotgun, or relevant ammunition that is lost or stolen.

How long do I have to report a lost or stolen firearm in the UK?

The certificate condition requires notification as soon as reasonably practicable and in any event within seven days. In practice, report it immediately.

Will I lose my certificate if a gun is stolen?

Not automatically. Police will look closely at the circumstances and whether your precautions were reasonable.

Should I call 999 or 101 if a firearm is stolen?

Use 999 if there is an immediate risk to life or public safety, or if the theft is ongoing. Otherwise use 101 or the relevant local reporting route and contact licensing as well.

Do I need the serial number before I contact the police?

No. Report the incident first, then provide full identifying details as soon as you can.

What if ammunition was taken but the firearm was not?

You should still report it because the reporting duty also covers ammunition to which the certificate relates.

Can a theft from a car affect my renewal?

Yes. Police may review whether your transport and security arrangements were reasonable, and that can matter at renewal.

Should I tell my insurer as well?

If the item is insured, yes. Prompt insurer notification and a crime reference number usually help the claim process.

Can Vectis replace the official police report?

No. Vectis helps with record-keeping, but the legal duty is to notify the police.

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