Where do I stand regarding lost property?

abramagic73

I left my jacket at a local zoo/park, and in my pocket was my daughters Ipod Touch.

We spent a week searching for it at home, then I asked at the park and they acknowledged and ipod and jacket had been found and said they would look into it.

That was 4 weeks ago, and I still do not have an explanation as to where it is. They told me the girl that it was handed to is 'on leave' and it is with the MD and they are checking cctv, which makes me think she may have stolen it.

Where do I stand legally with liability? There are signs at the park stating items are left at your own risk, but if it was handed to lost property, does that then make the park liable? I haven't actually taken any action yet, and am awaiting a phone call from them but they said their investigation might take 'a few weeks.'

Can anyone help me to find out what, if any, action I should take and if they are liable?

Thanks

stsarina

Do you have anything in writing confirming that the jacket and ipod was ever in their possession, or were you only told verbally?

gordikin

abramagic73 wrote: »

I left my jacket at a local zoo/park, and in my pocket was my daughters Ipod Touch.

We spent a week searching for it at home, then I asked at the park and they acknowledged and ipod and jacket had been found and said they would look into it.

That was 4 weeks ago, and I still do not have an explanation as to where it is. They told me the girl that it was handed to is 'on leave' and it is with the MD and they are checking cctv, which makes me think she may have stolen it.

Where do I stand legally with liability? There are signs at the park stating items are left at your own risk, but if it was handed to lost property, does that then make the park liable? I haven't actually taken any action yet, and am awaiting a phone call from them but they said their investigation might take 'a few weeks.'

Can anyone help me to find out what, if any, action I should take and if they are liable?

Thanks

I loosely similar scenario has been posted before. You may want to look here:-

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2725971

From memory it got a bit heated! I don't think any legal conclusion was reached.

abramagic73

I have nothing in writing, so far everything has been verbal but I do have names of individuals. incidentally, the park has today advertised for a new supervisor. I'm thinking of writing to them just to have something written down.

zorber

Does the saying go finders keepers.

Though if shes emplyed by the park then she has a duty to hand it in and not take it. But they have no liability to hold it for you

abramagic73

Thanks for that thread. It is a very similar situation, and I am worried that someone else may have claimed it. I guess I will have to wait and see what they say. I do acknowledge if it has already been claimed by someone else I can't do anything. If they do admit a staff member took it, will I be able to ask them to replace it?

gordikin

abramagic73 wrote: »

Thanks for that thread. It is a very similar situation, and I am worried that someone else may have claimed it. I guess I will have to wait and see what they say. I do acknowledge if it has already been claimed by someone else I can't do anything. If they do admit a staff member took it, will I be able to ask them to replace it?

If they admit a staff member took it ask them to get it back!

halibut2209

Or at least report it stolen. With an incident number etc, the park will be legally bound to tell the police any info they have on the girl.

Waffle_On

I'm not sure about legally, but morally if an employee has taken it, the company should be liable. If they have evidence to that effect then I would expect them to return (if possible) or replace the items without any argument. If a member of the public has taken it then it would be finders keepers - or contact the police.

abramagic73

Thank you. I will report it as lost for now on the local police endorsed website.

abramagic73

Yes I do know where I lost it, but not where it is now. I can't make accusations against a member of staff.