Guide to Property LOST in a Public Place
www.thamesvalley.police.uk
We do not issue lost property reference numbers.

Hazardous items:
Such as firearms, shotguns, ammunition, explosives, poisons, drugs, toxins or chemicals. Do not attempt to handle dangerous items. Report to Police IMMEDIATELY.

Bicycles:
The police will not take a lost report. Please visit www.bikeregister.com to report your loss. Reports are searchable by Police forces nationwide and insurance companies to help reunite property or process a claim.

Mobile telephones, MP3 players, computers or ANY equipment with a serial number:
The police will not take a lost report. Please visit www.immobilise.com to report your loss. Reports are searchable by Police Forces and insurance companies to help reunite property or process a claim.

Identifiable items (e.g. with owner’s name and address or other contact details in or on the item:
The police will not take a lost report. If the item is handed in we will make efforts to contact you.

Cash, Bank Cards, Credit Cards and Cheque Books Cash that is not contained within a purse/wallet containing identifiable items:
Make enquiries at the location you think the cash was lost. If this is unsuccessful, contact the police station nearest to where you think you lost it. Bank cards, credit cards, cheque books: Report to the issuing bank, building society or credit card company.

Items which do not have a serial number, but have a high monetary (over £500) or sentimental value (e.g. heirlooms):
Please speak to a member of staff who will see what additional assistance we could offer.

Prescribed medication and drugs:
Contact GP or NHS Direct and seek guidance.

Passports, driving licences, ID cards and other official documents. UK passport or driving licence:
Report directly to the Passport Office or DVLA.

Non-UK passport, driving licence or ID card:
Report the loss in person at your nearest Police Station.

Other official documents, such as birth, marriage and death certificates:
Report directly to the issuing office.

Unidentifiable, low value items:
It is highly unlikely that items such as luggage, empty purses, empty wallets or low value unidentifiable items such as umbrellas, spectacles, used or soiled clothing and perishable goods will be handed to the Police. Therefore you are advised to make enquiries at the location where the item was lost.

Guide to Property FOUND in a Public Place

www.thamesvalley.police.uk

In all cases you should make reasonable enquiries to trace the owner.

Hazardous items such as firearms, shotguns, ammunition, explosives, poisons, drugs, toxins or chemicals:
Do not attempt to handle dangerous items. Report to Police IMMEDIATELY.

Mobile telephones, computers, tablets, MP3 players and any other item capable of containing data:
Please hand in to a police station or to a police officer or PCSO so that the owner can be traced or the item otherwise dealt with.

UK Passports:
Please return to the UK Passport Office or hand in to a police station or to a police officer or PCSO.

Cash, including cash within a wallet or purse that is identifiable:
Please hand in to a police station or to a police officer or PCSO so that the owner can be traced or the item otherwise dealt with.

Bank cards, identity cards, personal documentation (e.g. bank statements, benefits books):
Either follow the instructions on the back of the card or documents or hand in to a police station or to a police officer or PCSO.

Birth, marriage and death certificates:
The General Register Office asks that you destroy the item to prevent fraudulent use.
Alternatively, you can hand in to a police station or to a police officer or PCSO.

UK Driving Licence:
Please return to the DVLA or hand in to a police station or to a police officer or PCSO.

Non UK passports, driving licences and other identity documents:
Return to the embassy of the issuing country or hand in to a police station or to a police officer or PCSO.

Bicycles:
The police do not accept found bicycles. You can check whether the bike has been reported stolen at www.bikeregister.com.

Unidentifiable or low value property, such as empty handbags, bags, cases, wallets, purses, used or soiled clothing, perishable goods, rubbish, umbrellas, spectacles, animals, keys, watches, jewellery:
The police do not accept these items. You should make reasonable enquiries to trace the owner. This could include; asking people nearby and in nearby premises, advertising your find on social media or community websites. If still unidentified there is nothing more the Police can do so you should dispose of the property.