CHANGES to the way gun owners are monitored has ‘put the public at an increased risk’, an East Lancashire MP has said.

Police are no longer carrying out face-to-face firearms and shotgun licence renewals in East Lancashire, and now plan to do it over the phone to cut costs, it has been revealed.

But Hyndburn and Haslingden’s Labour MP Graham Jones said the changes put the public at an increased risk of harm.

He said: “I am concerned because the risk of the police cuts does not allow the police force to do their job and try to minimise risk to the public.

“There is no more money going into the police force, and what we are seeing in this country and in this area is the security of any individual being put at risk because of cuts made by the Tories.”

Burnley MP Julie Cooper, said: “Since the Conservatives have come in, many safety issues have arisen in the first five years of their tenure.

“This has happened because they have prioritised other issues over the safety of the public.”

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “All firearms certificate holders will be subject to an interview when renewing their certificate, which may be done in person or over the phone.

“Telephone interviews are conducted where appropriate.

“Where intelligence suggests, we make home visits and undertake a thorough interview and inspection.

“A firearms certificate is only renewed when we are satisfied that the applicant remains a responsible certificate holder .”

Notorious gunmen in recent times include Cumbria gunman Derrick Bird, who shot Rishton woman Fiona Moretta in 2010, in which 12 people plus Bird were killed.

In Lancashire, over 10,000 firearms are covered by licenses.

Last year, police handed out 177 new licences and refused five. They granted 247 renewals, refused one, and revoked 11 others.