Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government when was the last time the National Ballistics Intelligence Service assessed the volume of illegal firearms in the UK, and how frequently those assessments are made.

The National Ballistics Intelligence Service delivers fast-time forensic intelligence as well as tactical and strategic intelligence to help tackle all aspects of firearms related criminality within the UK. They produce quarterly reports on the threat, but their assessment is continuous and key information is shared amongst law enforcement on a real time basis.

Following the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris, we have been ensuring we have the right intelligence, detection and enforcement capabilities and policies, internationally, at the UK border, and within the UK. We are continuing to choke off the supply and availability of illegal firearms to prevent their use by criminals or terrorists. A recent multi-agency operation has enhanced law enforcement’s shared understanding of the illegal firearms market and it is now being developed into an enduring model with a national and international focus. This is consistent with our long-term policy approach and therefore no further measures have been required.