Lost and Found Property
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Security OFFICIAL Classification: POLICY Lost and Found Property Head of Joint Justice Services Policy owners Command Policy holder Head of Criminal Justice Property Management and Vehicle Author Recovery Coordinator Approved by Legal Services N/A Policy owner 22 January 2018 JJNCC Pending Note: By signing the above you are authorising the policy for publication and are accepting responsibility for the policy on behalf of the Chief Constables Publication date 5 February 2018 Review date 5 February 2021 APP checked Yes College of Policing Yes Code of Ethics checked Note: Please send the original Policy with both signatures on it to the Norfolk CPU for the audit trail Security OFFICIAL Classification: Page 1 of 28 Security OFFICIAL Classification: Index 1. Introduction .................................................................................................. 4 2. Lost property ............................................................................................... 5 3. Found Property ............................................................................................ 6 4. Theft by Finding ........................................................................................... 9 5. Property Claimed by the Loser before being placed at a Station ............... 10 6. Property from Sudden Deaths ................................................................... 10 7. Treasure Finds .......................................................................................... 10 8. Sea and Seashore Finds ........................................................................... 11 Appendix A: Lost and found property – front counter guide ............................. 12 9. Appendix B: Letter for insurance claims .................................................... 25 10. Appendix C: Lost and Found – Recording on the Electronic Property System (EPS) .................................................................................................. 26 11. Appendix D: Found Property (excluding pedal cycles – see Appendix E) . 27 12. Appendix E: Pedal Cycles ......................................................................... 28 Legal Basis (Please list below the relevant legislation which is the legal basis for this policy). You must update this list with changes in legislation that are relevant to this policy and hyperlink directly to the legislation. Legislation/Law specific to the subject of this policy document Act (title and year) Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 Police (Conduct) Regulations 1999 Police Reform Act 2002 Police Property Act 1897 and Regulations Magistrates Courts Act 1980 Theft Act 1968 Obscene Publications Act 1959 Firearms Act 1968 Prevention of Crime Act 1953 Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 The Police (Retention and Disposal of Motor Vehicles) Regulations 2002 Treasure Act 1996 Other legislation/law which you must check this document against (required by law) Act (title and year) Human Rights Act 1998 (in particular A.14 – Prohibition of discrimination) Equality Act 2010 Crime and Disorder Act 1998 Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and associated Regulations Data Protection Act 1998 Freedom Of Information Act 2000 Security OFFICIAL Classification: Page 2 of 28 Security OFFICIAL Classification: Other Related Documents Recovery and Disposal of Ballistic Items FPD Firearms and Explosives Licencing FPD Property Seized Subject to Enquiry FPD Both Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies have in place a Business Continuity Plan to enable the continued function of Police Property Stores at their Tier 1 & 2 premises in the event of a business continuity scenario occurring Security OFFICIAL Classification: Page 3 of 28 Security OFFICIAL Classification: 1. Introduction 1.1 You must be able to show that your actions are justified and proportionate in seeking to achieve your aim(s). Additionally, you must always consider whether the proposed action is the least intrusive and damaging option used to achieve the aim(s). If you are in doubt you must consult a supervisor. 1.2 The Forces use an Electronic Property System (EPS) to record Lost and Found property and also seized Volume and Drug property. You should always clearly document the decision making processes and outcomes of actions. This is achieved by recording all property on the EPS. 1.3 The importance of accuracy and care in dealing with all types of property in Police possession is crucial. 1.4 All property coming into the possession of the Police must be dealt with attention to detail and with extreme care. Under no circumstances must property be left unsecured in an office or other location not designated for the storing of property. 1.5 The storage by the Police of property is inconvenient, costly and should be avoided wherever possible. It will be disposed of at the earliest opportunity. 1.6 To safeguard both property and personnel who handle it, the following fundamental principles will apply: All property in Police possession will be kept in secure conditions. When property passes possession from the custody of one clearly identified individual or store to another, the fact will be recorded on the EPS. All property coming into Police possession will be appropriately handled according to its type and any Health and Safety considerations. For example, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders will be kept in an outside store. All property coming into Police possession must be appropriately packaged with consideration given to whether the item has elements which can erode or degrade during retention, e.g. batteries. Found property will only be released from Police possession to an owner upon satisfactory proof of ownership. Found property will only be released from Police possession to a person authorised in writing by an acknowledged owner, or the registered finder, after a 28 day retention period has elapsed. Prohibited items will not be returned. Security OFFICIAL Classification: Page 4 of 28 Security OFFICIAL Classification: 2. Lost property 2.1 If an item of property has been lost in a public area (e.g. road, beach, town) the loss will be recorded if it meets the criteria listed in Appendix A. 2.2 If an item of property has been lost on private property or public transport, it is recommended that, unless the item is of the type specified in Appendix A, the loser should contact the owner of the private premises or the public transport service provider as they will often have their own ‘Lost and Found’ procedures. Private property includes shops, pubs, clubs, leisure centres, taxis, coaches and schools. 2.3 Lost property reports will be recorded on the EPS for any item that poses a risk to the safety or security of the public, e.g. Firearms, ammunition or explosives. Other weapons. Poisons or chemicals. Prescription medication. 2.4 If the lost property is likely to be a danger to others, immediate action should be taken to minimise risk and locate the item. This may include: Creating a STORM event. Bringing the matter to the attention of the CCR Inspector (Oscar 1). Circulating information (PNC broadcast, local & social media). In the case of reported losses of firearms, ammunition or explosives please also refer to the ‘Firearms and Explosives Licencing’ FPD as an offence may have occurred and there may be grounds to revoke the firearms licence / certificate. 2.5 Lost property reports will be recorded for electronic devices with internal memory and that may contain personal data, e.g. mobile telephones, digital cameras, laptops, portable music players, tablets, memory sticks, game consoles and other electronic items. 2.6 When a lost property report is taken, the EPS will be checked in case the item is already in Police possession. 2.7 If it is identified that a reported loss is in Police possession within ‘Volume Crime’, the reporting member of the public should be advised there is no record within the found property register but we do have an item matching the description in Police possession and the OIC will be notified to make contact with the owner. Security OFFICIAL Classification: Page 5 of 28 Security OFFICIAL Classification: 2.8 If it is identified the item of property has been handed in as ‘found’ the staff member dealing with the lost report will arrange for the item to be returned to a station where the owner can verify whether the item in question is theirs. 2.9 Should the caller request a reference number for insurance purposes, a letter can be downloaded from the Constabularies’ websites which explains that lost property is not a statutory responsibility of the Police and reports are not taken as they cannot be verified (see Appendix B). 2.10 Members of the public can also report lost property on the ‘Report My Loss’ website. Details of the lost item will be added to a Police approved, national website that can be viewed by the Police. This website is called the National Mobile Property Register (NMPR) and Police staff have access to this to allow them to search for reports of lost items. 2.11 Once the loss has been submitted, a lost property reference number is provided which can be used for insurance claims. This service can be used for almost any type of property with the exception of passports which must be reported to HM Passport Office – see Appendix A for further details. 3. Found Property 3.1 The Constabularies will only retain property reported as ‘found’ if it meets the criteria contained in this policy document; for example, there is a belief that the property may have been used in criminal