Police are urging holders of firearms licences to check they have a valid certificate.

There are two types of certificates, one for regulated weapons and one for part one firearms.

The latter have to be renewed every three years to remain valid and these all take place at the same time, the latest renewal being April this year.

Regulated weapons certificates originally had to be renewed at the same time every 10 years.

But this process has changed to a rolling renewal which means that each certificate is valid for 10 years from the date of issue, similar to a driving licence.

The date when you must complete a new application will now be unique to each certificate holder and will be detailed on the certificate.

Police said it was everyone’s responsibility to ensure that they hold a valid certificate and that they submit a renewal application three months before their existing certificate expires.

This allows time for the correct checks to take place and for a new certificate to be delivered before the expiry of the existing certificate.