Shooting Sports Section

By Secretary Inspector David Hodson

Shooting has been part of police sport since 1932 and Lancashire Constabulary has had a Shooting Section since 1968. Shooters enjoy a variety of target shooting disciples including air pistol (.177), target air rifle (.177), small bore rifle (.22 rim fire) prone competition and ‘Free Rifle’ (Prone, standing, and kneeling.), Light sporting rifle (.22 rim fire) and Full bore rifle (7.62mm). The Shooting Section is keen to hear from anyone who wishes to find out more about what the sport involves and throughout the year we have received many enquires.

Unfortunately though the Shooting Section does not own a range or any equipment and its shooters are members of other shooting clubs around the County. For obvious reasons strict restrictions are placed on who is allowed to and when someone may handle a weapon. For this reason we encourage any interested member to join a local target shooting club, use their facilities and equipment, as well as receive expert tuition from their coaches. In return as the shooters skill improves their performance will be monitored and when they reach a reasonable standard they may if they wish enter into competitions such as the many leagues Lancashire members compete in including PSUK events (Police Sport UK) such as the Short range Shooting Championship, and the Long Range Championships held at Bisley Camp, Surrey.

2008 has been a year of mixed fortunes for the shooting members. Iain McDonald a stalwart of full bore rifle shooting has had some results he probably wishes he could forget especially at the PSUK Shooting Champs where for the first time Iain end up outside the top 10. Dave Hodson surprised himself and everyone else when he ended up 3rd in the Small bore Rifle Match 1 and 5th in the Aggregate at PSUK (Bisley), which considering he hadn’t shot since the short range champs some 5 months earlier was a great result. Who knows what he could be capable of if he started to try?

Jim Lloyd in only his 3rd year of shooting for the police had some excellent results at PSUK (Bisley) coming a fantastic 2nd in the Sports Pistol beating many of the big names in police shooting and 5th in the Air Pistol (Class B). At the end of the meeting the PSUK Pistol Manager invited Jim along as part of the PSUK training squad for 2009 which is excellent news and well deserved as Jim has put a lot of time and effort into his shooting.

2008 Achievements

Small Bore Rifle

PSUK Short Range Team Champions (N.W. Region) - 1st Lancashire
(S. Edmondson, P. Hatton, D. Hodson and R.Quirk.)

PSUK Short Range Individual (N.W. Region) Rifle - 1st Paul Hatton
2nd Steve Edmondson
3rd Rod Quirk

PSUK Long Range Champs (Bisley) Match 1 - 3rd Dave Hodson
PSUK Long Range Champs (Bisley) Aggregate - 5th Dave Hodson

Air Pistol

PSUK Air Pistol Champs (N.W. Region) - 2nd Jim Lloyd

PSUK Shooting Champs (Bisley) Sport Pistol - 2nd Jim Lloyd

PSUK Shooting Champs (Bisley) - ‘B’ Class- 5th Jim Lloyd

Full Bore Rifle

Merseyside Police (Aggregate) - 5th Iain McDonald

G.M.P. (Aggregate) - 3rd Iain McDonald

Imperial Meeting (Bisley) Opening Shot - 1st (In Team) Iain McDonald

Imperial Meeting (Bisley) Parting Shot - 3rd (In Team) Iain McDonald

2007 top

By Secretary Insp David Hodson

In 1902 Lord Roberts of Kandahar (Commander in Chief of the British Army) said ‘It is every man’s duty to learn to shoot’ (His words not mine) and shortly after The Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs evolved from the Shooting Section of The Society of Working Men’s Clubs. Shooting in Britain as come a long long way since those early days and is now a truly diverse sport which does not differentiate between any of the six diversity strands as it does not require a maximum strength but requires concentration and muscle control to succeed. All competitors test their skills side by side with young and old, women and men, and disabled and wheelchair shooters lining up on the same details and shooting against each other. The only way shooters are separated is by their skill level over a set period of time which allows them to attain an average score. This allows shooters of similar ability to compete against each other on equal term (same class). There is of course the ultimate ‘open class’ too which is purely based on a shooters ability on the day and their skill in hitting the middle of the target time after time.

Shooting has been part of police sport since 1932 and Lancashire Constabulary has had a Shooting Section since 1968. Shooters enjoy a variety of target shooting disciples including air pistol (.177), small bore rifle (.22 rim fire) prone competition and ‘Free Rifle’ (Prone, standing, and kneeling.), Light sporting rifle (.22 rim fire) and Full bore rifle (7.62mm). The Shooting Section is keen to hear from anyone who wishes to find out more about what the sport involves and throughout the year we have received many enquires. Unfortunately however the Section does not own a range or any equipment and its shooters are members of other shooting clubs around the County. For obvious reasons strict restrictions are placed on who can and when someone may handle a weapon. For this reason we encourage our members to join a local target shooting club, use their facilities and equipment, and receive expert tuition from their coaches. In return as the shooters skill improves their performance is monitored and when they reach a reasonable standard they may if they wish be entered into competitions such as the many leagues Lancashire members compete in, PSUK (Police Sport UK) such as the Short range Shooting Championship, and the Long Range Championships held at Bisley Camp, Surrey. Our latest recruit to shooting is PC Sarah Anstee from Pennine Division who is showing excellent potential and eagerness to achieve. We believe Sarah has the talent and the right attitude of mind to go a long way in the sport.

Like other Lancashire Shooting Section members such as Paul Hatton and Dave Hodson we may see Sarah being so successful that she is fortunate enough to represent the PSUK in the USPE (European Police Championships). These shooting championships are held every four years and this year they where held in Bordeaux, France. Paul Hatton (Retired Lancashire Officer) was selected to manage the PSUK Rifle Shooting Team and can be seen below with his team (far right).

2007 Achievements

Small Bore Rifle

PSUK Short Range Team Champions (N.W. Region) 1^st Lancashire

(S. Edmondson, P. Hatton, D. Hodson and R.Quirk.)

PSUK Short Range Individual (N.W. Region) Rifle 1^st Paul Hatton

2^nd Rod Quirk

PSUK Short Range Team Div 2 1^st Lancashire

(S. Edmondson, P.Hatton, D. Hodson and R.Quirk.)

PSUK Short Range Individual Div 1

6^th Dave Hodson

PSUK Short Range Individual Div 4

4^th Paul Hatton

PSUK Short Range Individual Div 6

1^st Rod Quirk

PSUK Short Range Individual Div 8

5^th Steve Edmondson

Members also competed in CLSTSA (County of Lancashire Small bore Target Shooting Assoc.) leagues.

Light Sporting Rifle

PSUK Long Range Shooting Championship (Bisley) 3^rd Phil Davies

(Phil still holds three PSUK Shooting records).

PSUK LSR Winter League Individual Div 1

1^st Phil Davies

2^nd Alan Jones

Air Pistol

PSUK Short Range Individual (N.W. Region) Pistol

2^nd Jim Lloyd

PSUK Short Range Individual (National Championships)

4^th Jim Lloyd

(Only Jim’s 2^nd year in competition).

PSUK Air Pistol Winter League Div 2

1^st Jim Lloyd

Full Bore Rifle

L.M.R.A. V PSUK (Bisley)

3rd Iain McDonald

Merseyside Police (Aggregate)

1st Iain McDonald

G.M.P. (Aggregate)

5th Iain McDonald

Police Sport UK Long Range Championships (Long Range)

2nd Iain McDonald

(Aggregate)

4th Iain McDonald

Five members of the shooting section represented the Constabulary at Bisley in the PSUK Long Range Shooting Championships and enjoyed competing in a number of different shooting disciplines.

300 yards Full bore rifle shooting in the PSUK Long Range Championship at Bisley.

During the Long Range Championship shooters go as far back as 1000 yards to test their skills

PSUK Long Range Small bore Prone Rifle Championships

Competitors shoot at a distance of 50 metres but it doesn’t get easier because you are closer. The weapons are more accurate and the bulls eye is a tiny 12.4 mm diameter at 50 metres.

2006 top

By Secretary Mr Paul Hatton

The prospects for the Shooting Section are improving with many enquiries coming from Sports and Social members wanting to know where and how to start target shooting. Some have previous shooting experience but many do not and it is good to see a large number of enquiries from support staff too. All those interested have been directed to local shooting clubs and it is hoped that in the future they will be competing on behalf of Lancashire Constabulary and PSUK.

Current members have not entered in as many competitions as usual this year due to illness and family commitments plus Dave Hodson retired from the Free Rifle (three positional) competition at the end of last season. He had previously won the PAA Free Rifle Championship five times and represented the PAA at four USPEs. Consequently the list of achievements by Shooting Section members is not as great as in other years. That said there have been some successes notably Iain McDonald who is still up at the top in PSUK Full Bore Rifle shooting.

Special mention must go to Paul Hatton who not only retired from the Constabulary at the end of 2005 but he also retired from the post of PSUK Shooting Section Secretary. This year Paul was presented with an Award of Excellence by the PSUK for services to Shooting. Paul was secretary for Lancashire Constabulary Shooting Section for 26 years, he was a committee member on the PSUK Shooting Section for 16 years and was the PSUK Shooting Section Secretary for the last 11 years. Congratulations Paul and many thanks for your efforts over the years!

2006 Achievements

Small Bore Rifle.

PSUK League Div 2 Team Champions – S. Edmondson, P. Hatton, D. Hodson and R. Quirk.

PSUK Team Champions (Handicap League) - S. Edmondson, P. Hatton, D. Hodson and R. Quirk.

PSUK Short Range Team Champions (N.W. Region) - S. Edmondson, P. Hatton, D. Hodson and

R.Quirk.

PSUK Short Range Individual (N.W. Region) -1^st Dave Hodson

- 2^nd Rod Quirk

- 3^rd Paul Hatton

PSUK Short Range Individual Championship (Belfast) – 2^nd Dave Hodson

Dave receives his 2^nd place award.

Members competed in divisions 1, 3, 6 and 7 of the PSUK Winter League.

Dave Hodson represented the PSUK against Northern Ireland in Belfast, against the Army at the Inter Services Meeting and against Wales in October.

He is also in the final six to compete in the trials to select the two shooters who will represent the PSUK at the USPE in 2007 (France).

Light Sporting Rifle.

PSUK Shooting Championship (Bisley) – 3^rd Phil Davies (Phil still holds three PSUK Shooting records).

Air Pistol.

PSUK Shooting Championship (Bisley) – 2^nd (Class B) John Lloyd (Excellent result at John’s first PSUK Championship).

Full Bore Rifle.

Iain McDonald’s rostrum places:-

L & M.R.A. V PSUK (Bisley) - 2^nd
Merseyside Police (Veterans) - 2^nd

G.M.P. (Aggregate) - 2^nd

(Veterans) - 1^st

Scottish PAA (Aggregate) - 2^nd

(Long range) - 1^st

Gloucester (Aggregate) - 1^st

(Veterans) - 1^st

Devon & Cornwall Constabulary (Agg) - 2^nd

(Veterans) - 1^st

West Mids Police (Aggregate) - 3^rd

(Veterans) - 1^st

West Mercia Police (Aggregate) - 2^nd

(Veterans) - 1^st

Police Sport UK Championships
(Long Range) - 3^rd

(Aggregate) - 2^nd

Iain clocked up 1000s of miles touring the country competing in many police and civilian shooting competitions.

2005 Small-bore rifle

Regional Championships

Long Range Regional Championships

Full Bore rifle

Another good year for Iain MacDonald

PSUK events

Lightweight Sporting Rifle Optical sights

2005 top

By Secretary Mr Paul Hatton

I am pleased to report that the section has once been reasonably successful again – The pistol section is still struggling to get back on track – the introduction of new pistols to comply with the legislation is helping but slowly. We have success in the Gallery rifle and Lightweight sporting rifle events with Phil Davies and Alan Jones from Pennine Division. Dave Hodson, Paul Hatton, Steve Edmondson and Rod Quirk continue to dominate the North West Police Sport UK region in small bore rifle.

Iain MacDonald showing us the way forward yet again in the full bore rifle, not bad for a retired officer

2005 Small-bore rifle

Regional Championships

Ind 1^st Dave Hodson, 2^nd Paul Hatton

Team 1^st Hodson, Hatton, Rod Quirk, Steve Edmondson.

Short Range National Finals – Dave Hodson equal first place but placed 2^nd on count back.

Long Range Regional Championships

1^st Paul Hatton

We had 3 representatives at the National Championships but no places this time.

During the year both Dave Hodson and Paul Hatton were fortunate enough to be selected to represent the PSUK in the annual matches against England, Wales, Army and the Inter services.

The section also competed in Police Sport UK winter league competitions and several other Civilian comps.

Full Bore rifle

Another good year for Iain MacDonald

PSUK events

Merseyside Championships............... 2nd

Manchester Championships............... 2nd

L.M.R.A. v U.K.Police Sport weekend

Sat Agg............................................1st

Sun. Agg..........................................2nd

Weekend Agg.....................................1st

Scottish Police Championships,

Short Range .....................................1st

Grand Agg ........................................3rd

D & C Championships .......................1st

Gloucestershire Championships.........5th

West Mids Championships..................2nd

West Mercia Championships...............1st

Police Sport U.K. Championships

Short Range.......................................Winner

Long Range....................................... Winner

Agg................................................... Winner

U.K.Police.

Individual.............................................1st

Veteran...............................................1st

Long Range.........................................1st

International.........................................2nd

The following shoot the U.K. Police Championship, which was held for the first time this year in October was won by Iain.

Iain has competed in many local matches together with the main meeting for full bore shooters – The Imperial meeting in which he managed to be included in 11prize lists and also shot in the second stage of the queens - the major competition.

A severely injured Phil Davies and Alan Jones competed in the Gallery events at the National Police Sport UK Championships with the following results

Lightweight Sporting Rifle Optical sights

Phil Davies was 5th

Both were very disappointed but competed well.

2006 has started well with Dave Hodson becoming the Short Range Individual Rifle regional Champion with Rod Quirk 2^nd

The team became the regional champions (Hodson, Hatton, Quirk and Edmondson)

They now travel to Belfast for the Police Sport UK National Finals

The winter league is still to be completed with Lancashire strongly placed to retain Division two title gained last year

Finally the Police Sport UK has honoured Paul Hatton in being given the Award of Excellence for his services to the Target Shooting Section.

2004 top

By Secretary PC Paul Hatton

I am pleased to report that the section has once been reasonably successful again.

Iain MacDonald showing us the way forward yet again in the full bore rifle, not bad for a retired officer. The pistol section is still struggling to get back on track – the introduction of new pistols to comply with the legislation is helping but slowly. We have success in the Gallery rifle and Lightweight sporting rifle events with Phil Davies and Alan Jones from Pennine Division. Dave Hodson, Paul Hatton, Steve Edmondson and Rod Quirk continue to dominate the North West Police Sport UK region in small bore rifle.

2004 Small-bore rifle

Regional Championships

Individual 1^st Dave Hodson, 2^nd Paul Hatton

Team 1^st Hodson, Hatton, Rod Quirk, Steve Edmondson.

Short Range National Finals – Dave Hodson 4^th and Team 4^th

Long Range Regional Championships

1^st Dave Hodson

We had 3 representatives at the National Championships but no places this time.

During the year both Dave Hodson and Paul Hatton were fortunate enough to be selected to represent the PAA in the annual matches against England, Wales, Army and the Inter services.

The section also competed in PAA winter league competitions and several other Civilian comps.

Full Bore rifle

Another good year for Iain MacDonald

PSUK events

Merseyside Regional Comp - Winner (open and veterans)

GMP - Winner (open and veterans)

Scottish Regional comp - Long Range Winner Aggregate Winner

Gloucester Regional - Winner (open and veterans)

Devon & Cornwall Regional - Winner (open and veterans)

West Midlands Regional - Runner up

West Mercia Regional - Winner

PSUK National Championships

Long Range - 3^rd

Aggregate - 6^th

UK Police Championships - winner of the Individual, Veteran and Long range competitions, 2^nd place in the International

He has once again been selected to represent the National Rifle Association against the Europeans.

He has regularly represented Lancashire in numerous competitions around the country.

Phil Davies and Alan Jones competed in the Gallery events at the National Police Sport UK Championships with the following results:

Gallery Rifle and Optical sights Phil came 3^rd and Alan 5^th

Gallery Rifle and Iron sights Phil was 3^rd with Alan 8^th

Lightweight Sporting Rifle Optical sights Phil won the event and Alan was 10^th

Lightweight Sporting Rifle Iron Sights Phil was 6^th and Alan 3^rd

2005 has started well with Dave Hodson becoming the Short Range Individual Rifle regional Champion with Paul Hatton 2^nd

The team became the regional champions.

They now travel to Carlisle for the Police Sport UK National Finals.

The winter league has just been completed and the Lancashire team won division 2

With Steve Edmondson winning Individual honours in division 7.

2003 top

I am pleased to report that the section has once again put itself on the map – particularly with regard to one of our retired colleagues, Iain MacDonald. Our European challenge for USPE carries on with Dave Hodson after retirement from international shooting of Paul Hatton – but he carries on in an administrative role. The pistol section is still struggling to get back on track – the introduction of new pistols to comply with the legislation is helping but slowly.

Small-bore rifle

Regional Championships –

Individual 1^st Dave Hodson, 2^nd Paul Hatton

Team 1^st Hodson, Hatton, Rod Quirk, Steve Edmondson.

Short Range National Finals – Dave Hodson 4^th and Team 4^th

Long Range Regional Championships

1^st Paul Hatton, (unable to compete in National Finals due to bereavement)

We had 3 representatives at the National Championships but no places this time.

USPE – Moscow

Paul Hatton was selected to be Team Manager for this year and after doing the organising of the team arrangements was unable to attend due to bereavement.

However Dave Hodson was selected to compete and shot in the Prone and 3 positional events.

During the year both Dave Hodson and Paul Hatton were fortunate enough to be selected to represent the PAA in the annual matches against England, Wales, Army and the Inter services.

Dave Hodson also travelled to Dortmund under the flag of the PAA but which was totally self-financing. This was a good training competition for the USPE to follow.

The section also competed in PAA winter league competitions and several other Civilian comps.

Full Bore Rifle

Totally dominated by Iain MacDonald throughout the year

PAA Events

London & Middlesex v PAA - Saturday shoot Winner - Sunday Runner up

Merseyside Regional Comp - Winner

Scottish Regional comp - Short Range - Winner/Long Range - Runner up/Aggregate Winner

Gloucester Regional - Runner up

Devon & Cornwall Regional - Winner

West Midlands Regional - Runner up

West Mercia Regional - Winner

PAA National Championships - Aggregate 3rd

U.K. Police Championships

Winner of the Individual, International, Veteran and Long range competitions.

He was selected to represent the National Rifle Association against the Europeans.

He was in the PAA team which came 2^nd in the ‘Parting Shot’ competition in the National (non-police) Shooting Championships.

He has regularly represented Lancashire in numerous competitions around the country.

2002 top

PAA Ind. Winter League

1st. PC Hatton (Longridge) Div 3

PAA Short Range Regional Championship

1st PS Hodson (Burnley), 2nd PC Hatton

PAA Regional Long Range Championships

1^stPC Hatton, 2^nd PS Hodson

PAA National Long Range Championships

Final Regional Champions Comp. 1^st PC Hatton

50 Metres Champion 1^st PC Hatton

3 Positional Rifle 3^rd PS Hodson

Air Rifle 1^st PS Hodson

Gallery Rifle (optical sights) 1^st PC Davies (Colne) Championship Record

Gallery Rifle (iron sights) 1^st PC Davies

Lightweight Sporting Rifle (1500) 4^th PC Davies

Lightweight Sporting Rifle (Optical sights) 2^nd PC Davies

Lightweight Sporting Rifle (Iron sights) 2^nd PC Davies

Full bore Rifle Short Range 1^st Mr.Iain MacDonald (rtd)

Full bore Rifle Long Range 1^st Mr.Iain MacDonald (rtd)

Full bore Rifle Aggregate 1^st Mr.Iain MacDonald (rtd)

Scottish PAA

Full bore Rifle Short Range 3rd Mr.Iain MacDonald (rtd)

Full bore Rifle Long Range 5th Mr.Iain MacDonald (rtd)

Full bore Rifle Aggregate 4th Mr.Iain MacDonald (rtd)

Non-PAA Events

London & Middlesex Invitation Shoot – Bisley

Full bore Rifle (Sat) 1^st 4th Mr.Iain MacDonald (rtd)

Full bore Rifle (Sun) 4th Mr.Iain MacDonald (rtd)

Week end aggregate 1^st Mr.Iain MacDonald (rtd)

Hampshire 3 Positional Open Championships – 2^nd and 3^rd positions PS Hodson

2001 top

PC Paul Hatton remains on target for the umpteenth year with 1st places in both the Regional PAA short and long-range rifle.

PS Hodson was 2nd in the same two events and Ken Butterworth was 3rd in the long-range. The team was 1st overall.

In the Nationals, Paul was 4th overall.

In the West Yorkshire PAA Paul and Dave again scored a 1st and 2nd respectively and the team were again 1st overall.

In Clay Shooting the team maintained a consistent 3rd overall in no less than 5 major events - that is to say - the PAA Regional Skeet and Sporting, the Cheshire all round, West Midlands Sporting and the GMP Sporting.