Lost and stolen property
Lost and stolen property
Reporting Lost Property
Lost Property can be reported to the police in two ways:
- In person at a police station.
- By telephone. Sussex Police's non-emergency number is
101.
If you believe that your property was lost on a bus, train or in a port, you should contact the transport company concerned.
Sussex Police keep a record of all property handed in at police stations.
Virtual Bumblebee
Virtual Bumblebee uses a computer database to record and track items of lost property so that when they are found they can be more easily returned to their rightful owners.
Property Marking
Hundreds and thousands of pounds worth of recovered stolen property cannot be returned to the rightful owner as there is no means of identification. You can identify property by using your postcode, together with your house number or the first two letters of your house name.
Engrave or etch using an electric engraving tool or hand engraver. This method leaves a visible, permanent mark.
An acid etching kit. This is useful for many hard surfaces. Use it to etch or engrave your vehicle registration onto your in-car entertainment, details of make and model and the serial numbers, should be kept in your vehicle logbook, which should not be kept within your car, in case of theft.
Ultraviolet marking (invisible marking). This glows clearly under an ultraviolet lamp. The marking is not totally invisible, and therefore should be used on surfaces not readily on view, for example the back, side, or base of a television or video player. Also it should be noted that the mark can fade in daylight and may need renewing.
Ceramic pens have been developed for marking china, glass, and other glazed surfaces.
For heavier items, such as pushchairs, cycles, and lawnmowers use a set of punches and a hammer.
Not all items are suitable for marking, jewellery and antiques, for example where attempting to mark them would damage or de-value the item.
Photographs of each item against a plain background with a ruler next to the item to give an idea of size are very useful. A video film of property in its usual place also proves useful, as your memory at a time of crisis may be unreliable.
Lost or stolen cards or chequebooks
Credit cards, debit cards and chequebooks which have not been received through the post should be treated as lost property unless there is evidence of crime. Notify your bank or building society as soon as possible.
When contacting the police, you will need to supply details such as the account name, account number, sort code, and branch address. These are needed for the crime report.