Lost Property / Metal Detecting Find - Denied Right To Claim at Police Station

beencheated

I found a high value watch (2.5k - 3k ) on the shoreline whilst metal detecting on the beach.

I took it to the police station and handed it in.

They gave me the slip that said in 28 days if no one claimed claim it then I would have 14 days to claim.

Fast forward 29 days When I return to claim it.

The policewoman says because of its high value it is an ongoing investigation. 

It could be involved in a crime.

I explain the circumstances in which I found it so that is unlikely.

She replies that it could have been stolen before it was lost. 

She disappears behind the door. (you cannot see past the door). 

Reapers with a phone number written  on the slip and hands it back to me telling me to ring that number in 14 days time.

She also tells me she has made an entry on the computer that I was there but behind a closed door !

She seems off with me during the whole experience.

I now have a slip with a number and the rest of the slip stating I lose all rights in 12 days time.

Am I being scammed for police funding ? I want paper work not an out of date piece of paper saying I have lost the right to claim it.

Al_Ross

These lost and found items get sold off at police auctions.

Honesty pays?

Aylesbury_Duck

beencheated said:

I found a high value watch (2.5k - 3k ) on the shoreline whilst metal detecting on the beach.

I took it to the police station and handed it in.

They gave me the slip that said in 28 days if no one claimed claim it then I would have 14 days to claim.

Fast forward 29 days When I return to claim it.

The policewoman says because of its high value it is an ongoing investigation. 

It could be involved in a crime.

I explain the circumstances in which I found it so that is unlikely.

She replies that it could have been stolen before it was lost. 

She disappears behind the door. (you cannot see past the door). 

Reapers with a phone number written  on the slip and hands it back to me telling me to ring that number in 14 days time.

She also tells me she has made an entry on the computer that I was there but behind a closed door !

She seems off with me during the whole experience.

I now have a slip with a number and the rest of the slip stating I lose all rights in 12 days time.

Am I being scammed for police funding ? I want paper work not an out of date piece of paper saying I have lost the right to claim it.

No, you're not being scammed.  You did the right thing, handing it in, just let the police do what they need to do.  

user1977

Al_Ross said:

These lost and found items get sold off at police auctions.

Not if there's a third party finder who claims it back. 

Undervalued

beencheated said:

I found a high value watch (2.5k - 3k ) on the shoreline whilst metal detecting on the beach.

I took it to the police station and handed it in.

They gave me the slip that said in 28 days if no one claimed claim it then I would have 14 days to claim.

Fast forward 29 days When I return to claim it.

The policewoman says because of its high value it is an ongoing investigation. 

It could be involved in a crime.

I explain the circumstances in which I found it so that is unlikely.

She replies that it could have been stolen before it was lost. 

She disappears behind the door. (you cannot see past the door). 

Reapers with a phone number written  on the slip and hands it back to me telling me to ring that number in 14 days time.

She also tells me she has made an entry on the computer that I was there but behind a closed door !

She seems off with me during the whole experience.

I now have a slip with a number and the rest of the slip stating I lose all rights in 12 days time.

Am I being scammed for police funding ? I want paper work not an out of date piece of paper saying I have lost the right to claim it.

I very much doubt it!

Remember, as the finder it never becomes your property. You only acquire more right to it than anybody else except the original owner. If it is passed to you and the lawful owner is eventually found you will have to hand it over or, if you have sold it, pay the lawful owner its reasonable value. 

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

https://notlost.com/the-definitive-guide-to-lost-property-laws-in-the-uk/

For 86 years, the police managed lost property across the UK. However, from February 1st 2019, following a national government review and consultation with 29 forces across the country, this all changed. With an eye on cost saving and efficiency, police forces across the UK stopped processing most lost property items and enquiries. The lost property law changed. 

However, the police will still accept some specific items.

They will accept: firearms, ammunition, items suspected to have been involved in a crime and cash.

Furthermore, they will accept items containing personal data like identifiable wallets or personal documents.

However, they will not take items such as bicycles, clothing, keys, jewellery or anything unidentifiable. A full list of lost property that the police will and will not accept can be found here.

Followed by lots of info at the "here" link:

https://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/what-we-do/public-safety-and-welfare/lost-and-found-property/

So it begs the question why they took it to begin with? Why would they assume a watch found on a beach would have been involved in a crime? 

powerful_Rogue

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

https://notlost.com/the-definitive-guide-to-lost-property-laws-in-the-uk/

For 86 years, the police managed lost property across the UK. However, from February 1st 2019, following a national government review and consultation with 29 forces across the country, this all changed. With an eye on cost saving and efficiency, police forces across the UK stopped processing most lost property items and enquiries. The lost property law changed. 

However, the police will still accept some specific items.

They will accept: firearms, ammunition, items suspected to have been involved in a crime and cash.

Furthermore, they will accept items containing personal data like identifiable wallets or personal documents.

However, they will not take items such as bicycles, clothing, keys, jewellery or anything unidentifiable. A full list of lost property that the police will and will not accept can be found here.

Followed by lots of info at the "here" link:

https://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/what-we-do/public-safety-and-welfare/lost-and-found-property/

So it begs the question why they took it to begin with? Why would they assume a watch found on a beach would have been involved in a crime? 

Depends on the force in question. Kent Police (my local force) advise found items of high value be taken to the local police station.

IvanOpinion

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

So it begs the question why they took it to begin with? Why would they assume a watch found on a beach would have been involved in a crime? 

According to the OP the price places it as a mid-range watch. 
They are likely to have had serial numbers on them which are usually traceable, maybe that has raised a red flag

beencheated

Thanks for your replies.
So even if it's given to me it would be unwise to sell.
The watch will have a serial number.
Ultimately the original owner will always own it.

Should I not get paperwork?
Soon I will have an out of date slip relinquishing my right to claim.

Manxman_in_exile

Undervalued said:

beencheated said:

I found a high value watch (2.5k - 3k ) on the shoreline whilst metal detecting on the beach.

I took it to the police station and handed it in.

They gave me the slip that said in 28 days if no one claimed claim it then I would have 14 days to claim.

Fast forward 29 days When I return to claim it.

The policewoman says because of its high value it is an ongoing investigation. 

It could be involved in a crime.

I explain the circumstances in which I found it so that is unlikely.

She replies that it could have been stolen before it was lost. 

She disappears behind the door. (you cannot see past the door). 

Reapers with a phone number written  on the slip and hands it back to me telling me to ring that number in 14 days time.

She also tells me she has made an entry on the computer that I was there but behind a closed door !

She seems off with me during the whole experience.

I now have a slip with a number and the rest of the slip stating I lose all rights in 12 days time.

Am I being scammed for police funding ? I want paper work not an out of date piece of paper saying I have lost the right to claim it.

I very much doubt it!

Remember, as the finder it never becomes your property. You only acquire more right to it than anybody else except the original owner. If it is passed to you and the lawful owner is eventually found you will have to hand it over or, if you have sold it, pay the lawful owner its reasonable value. 

Are TFL telling porkies then when they say:

"Unclaimed items

Items which remain unclaimed after 3 months from the date of loss becomes [sic] the property of TfL... "  ?

Lost property - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk)

Serious question as it would be quite easy for them to miss "the property" bit out altogether and just say  "Items which remain unclaimed after 3 months will be donated to charity, or recycled, or sold or otherwise disposed of".  Why tell lies?

Undervalued

Manxman_in_exile said:

Undervalued said:

beencheated said:

I found a high value watch (2.5k - 3k ) on the shoreline whilst metal detecting on the beach.

I took it to the police station and handed it in.

They gave me the slip that said in 28 days if no one claimed claim it then I would have 14 days to claim.

Fast forward 29 days When I return to claim it.

The policewoman says because of its high value it is an ongoing investigation. 

It could be involved in a crime.

I explain the circumstances in which I found it so that is unlikely.

She replies that it could have been stolen before it was lost. 

She disappears behind the door. (you cannot see past the door). 

Reapers with a phone number written  on the slip and hands it back to me telling me to ring that number in 14 days time.

She also tells me she has made an entry on the computer that I was there but behind a closed door !

She seems off with me during the whole experience.

I now have a slip with a number and the rest of the slip stating I lose all rights in 12 days time.

Am I being scammed for police funding ? I want paper work not an out of date piece of paper saying I have lost the right to claim it.

I very much doubt it!

Remember, as the finder it never becomes your property. You only acquire more right to it than anybody else except the original owner. If it is passed to you and the lawful owner is eventually found you will have to hand it over or, if you have sold it, pay the lawful owner its reasonable value. 

Are TFL telling porkies then when they say:

"Unclaimed items

Items which remain unclaimed after 3 months from the date of loss becomes [sic] the property of TfL... "  ?

Lost property - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk)

Serious question as it would be quite easy for them to miss "the property" bit out altogether and just say  "Items which remain unclaimed after 3 months will be donated to charity, or recycled, or sold or otherwise disposed of".  Why tell lies?

Possibly not.

There are all kinds of laws that apply to the railway. They even have their own police force.