Lost and Found Property Management

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Questions and Answers

What is required for the release of retained property from police custody?

Satisfactory proof of ownership (correct)

Submission of a valid receipt for the property

Witness confirmation of ownership

Payment of a disposal fee

Under what conditions might property not be retained by the police?

It is cash over £100

It is a classified document

It is of little or no value, unidentifiable, and the finder does not wish to keep it (correct)

It is recorded on Niche as lost property

Which type of property must be surrendered to police and cannot be retained by the finder?

Common household items

Untraceable electronic devices

Items of sentimental value

Identifiable items linked to an owner (correct)

How long will found property be retained before it is disposed of or returned to the finder?

28 days Signup and view all the answers

Who is prohibited from retaining found property?

Police staff and contracted workers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following types of found property must always be taken into police possession?

Items deemed lost and recorded on Niche Signup and view all the answers

What is the standard procedure for logging property that is not retained by police?

It needs to be logged on Niche Signup and view all the answers

What is one criterion for a property's disposal by the police?

If it is unidentifiable and of little or no value Signup and view all the answers

What should a police officer do if they find an item and later another officer determines it to be stolen?

The second officer should seize the item as evidential. Signup and view all the answers

Why is retention of found property discouraged by the police?

It incurs inconvenient and costly storage expenses. Signup and view all the answers

Where should found property ideally be handed if found at a festival or concert venue?

To the event organiser. Signup and view all the answers

What should a police officer advise a member of the public who wants to report lost property?

Visit the location where they believe the item was lost. Signup and view all the answers

What type of items should not be retained by the finders and must be passed to the police?

Items that are particularly valuable or significant. Signup and view all the answers

What is the initial step when checking if an item is evidential?

To confirm if a recent crime has occurred nearby. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason PSNI does not record reports of lost property?

It does not aid in reuniting owners with found items. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with found property that is taken into police custody?

It should only be taken for essential police purposes. Signup and view all the answers

Under Operation Hole, what percentage of people reporting lost or stolen passports were shown to be lawfully in the UK?

34% Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of an Investigating Officer in handling found property?

To conduct inquiries and utilize social media for investigation. Signup and view all the answers

What should an officer do first when encountering found property?

Determine if the property might be evidential. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following should be taken from the person reporting a lost passport?

Their full name, date of birth, and nationality. Signup and view all the answers

What documentation should an officer maintain regarding found property?

A statement regarding their involvement in the item's possession. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if the immigration check discloses offenses during a lost passport report?

Make an arrest based on the disclosed offenses. Signup and view all the answers

What is considered found property?

Property located by members of the public with no suspicion of being evidential. Signup and view all the answers

What should a person do if their passport is lost and there are no offenses disclosed during the immigration check?

Contact their embassy or consulate to report the loss. Signup and view all the answers

What should be noted when you receive found property?

The description, time, date, and location where the item was handed to you Signup and view all the answers

What is the first action you must take when handed found property?

Make an entry in your notebook in the presence of the finder Signup and view all the answers

If property is not evidential, what labeling should be applied?

No continuity labels Signup and view all the answers

What must you obtain from the finder of the property?

The name and address of the finder Signup and view all the answers

In what situation can you transfer found property to an officer from another police area?

If you are unable to attend the nearest station yourself in exceptional circumstances Signup and view all the answers

What should you do when property is handed to you in a sealed envelope by a member of the public?

Open and examine it in the presence of the finder Signup and view all the answers

What should be noted in your notebook when found property is transferred between officers?

The time of transfer and signatures of the officers Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to sign each other’s notebooks when transferring found property?

To maintain a record of who handled the item Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Lost Property

PSNI generally doesn't record reports of lost property.
Encourage people to contact the location where they lost the item.
Police guidance is to retain the property at the site it was found.
After several days, the owner can contact police to search for the item.
Use a Niche search to locate the item.

Lost Passports

Operation Hole is a Home Office process for immigration checks.
Only 34% of people reporting lost passports were shown to be legally in the UK.
Check with immigration Command and Control Unit if someone reports a lost passport.
If offences are disclosed, arrest the person.
If no offences, advise the reporter to contact their embassy.

Found Property

Found property is not considered evidence.
Check for relevant crimes in the vicinity of the found property.
Evidential property can be seized using legislative powers.
If an item becomes evidential later, the officer who decides that should seize the item.
Record details of all finds in your notebook.

Retaining Found Property

Police are expected to retain found property when appropriate.
Avoid retaining found property whenever possible.
Other organizations have their own procedures for retaining found property.
Hand found property to the event organiser at festivals or concerts.
At hotels, clubs, cinemas, or council buildings, hand found property to a responsible person.
Encourage finders to retain found property, except for specific items that must be handed to police.
An investigating officer can be appointed to investigate found property.
Retained found property will only be released on satisfactory proof of ownership.

Property That's Not Retained by Police

Found property can be disposed of at a local level if it's:
- Of little or no value
- Unidentifiable
- The finder doesn't wish to retain or claim it
The property is recorded on Niche.

Persons Prohibited from Retaining Property

PSNI employees and contracted employees
People with no fixed abode or living outside Northern Ireland

Property Not To Be Retained by Finder

Found property that is recorded on Niche.
Identifiable property (linked to owner).
Classified or official documents.
Items valued at £200 or more.
Cash over £100.
Postal orders or giro warrants.
Cheques, pawn tickets, lottery tickets, or personal documents.
Premium, savings bonds, or savings certificates.
Drugs or poisons.
Firearms, ammunition, or explosives.
Service uniforms or equipment.
Suspected proceeds of crime.
Items that are unlawful for the finder to retain.
Items that pose a danger to the finder or public.

Procedures for Taking Possession of Found Property

Record a description of the item, location and time it was found.
Note the time and location where the item was handed to you.
Obtain the finder's name and address.
Hand the item and finder details to the station area.
The item will be retained in the property transit store.
Send a receipt to the finder.
Follow the same procedures if you are working in a different police area.
Record property transfer in your notebook.
Open sealed envelopes or receptacles in the presence of the finder.

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Description

This quiz covers the procedures and guidelines related to lost and found property, including lost passports. It discusses the responsibilities of law enforcement in handling lost items, immigration checks, and the importance of proper documentation. Test your knowledge on best practices for managing such cases effectively.