THE Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Hampshire has reassured Andover residents that the county force has an ‘additional layer of protection’ against gun violence following the tragic events in Plymouth last week.

In a statement, Donna Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and Isle of Wight, offered her sympathies to the Plymouth community, and outlined Hampshire Constabulary's policy on firearms licensing.

She said: “Following the tragic incident in Plymouth, my thoughts remain with the families of those who died and the police officers who were first on the scene. This cannot and must not happen again.

“Hampshire Constabulary require a GP reference to be included when firearms licences are made, before issuing or processing gun licences. Previously when GP references were requested after an application was processed, very few GPs responded. The point of the reference is to assess a person’s suitability to own a firearm and enable any mental health issues to be considered.”

Expanding on the additional safety measures in place, she continued: “Furthermore, if someone in possession of a firearm licence seeks help and support from their GP for any mental health related issue, their GP is obliged to report the mental health issue to Hampshire Constabulary’s Firearms unit for revocation of the licence.

“By insisting on a GP reference at the point of application, Hampshire Constabulary has built in an additional layer of protection for the public.”

It comes after gunman Jake Davison, 22, launched a murderous spree in the Keyham area of Plymouth on Thursday.

Davison shot his 51-year-old mother Maxine Davison, also known as Maxine Chapman, at a house in Biddick Drive before he went into the street and shot dead Sophie Martyn, aged three, and her father, Lee Martyn, 43.

In the 12-minute attack, Davison then killed Stephen Washington, 59, in a nearby park and 66-year-old Kate Shepherd, who later died at Derriford Hospital, before shooting himself.