Unclaimed property handed into some UK police stations is now being sold off on Internet auctions, with proceeds going to local charities and organizations.
Bumblebee Auctions went live on Monday following a successful nine-month trial in Welwyn Hatfield, England.
The scheme, which works in the same way as auction site eBay, was developed by police in Surrey, England, before being picked up by Hertfordshire Constabulary.
Items such as bicycles, watches, computer games consoles, DVDs and jewelry are all up for sale on the site.
The Web site replaces the old police system of selling items via public auction houses.
Hertfordshire Constabulary will be auctioning found property that is unclaimed after six weeks and seized property that has been retained for more than six months.
Chief Inspector Mark Crampton said, “The constabulary does a huge search on its computer systems to try and trace owners who have lost property. It also carries out detailed examinations of items to look for markings or postcodes in an effort to reunite property with its owners. If this proves unsuccessful the force is entitled under the Police Property Act to dispose of these items by sale.”
Items from ten police forces around the country are on sale on the site, but searches can be narrowed down to individual forces or even police stations.
People who want to bid on items must first register with Web site Nochex so their bank details can be verified.
A large proportion of money raised from auctioning the items will go to charity through the Herts In Trust initiative, benefiting local organizations including Victim Support, the Missing Persons Bureau and alcohol abuse charities.

Posted: 08|18|05 at 10:13 am. Filed under: UK News.