GUN owners across North Yorkshire have been warned not to divulge any information over the phone about their firearms after several people received calls from bogus firearms enquiry officers.

Due to the rural nature of the county - and of the Yorkshire Dales in particular - many farmers, landowners and land managers own firearms and over the last few months North Yorkshire Police have been made aware of two Certificate holders who have been telephoned, allegedly by a Firearms Enquiry Officer, asking for details about the security of shotguns and advising they are calling to visit and inspect.

The certificate holders contacted North Yorkshire Police and it was confirmed that the calls were not made by any of the Firearms Enquiry Team. The matter has been reported to the intelligence division of the force and they have found that there have been similar occurrences in Scotland, London and also in Devon & Cornwall.

Regional Director of shooting group BASC, Phil Pugh, said; "We would advise all our members who are certificate holders not to divulge any information over the phone about either their firearms or security unless they are satisfied that they are actually speaking to a member of the relevant firearms team."