Lost property sales net £100k for police

ITS budget is stretched to breaking point – but beleaguered Police Scotland has one reliable source of income.

Figures yesterday revealed the force rakes in an average of £100,000 a year by auctioning off unclaimed items including bikes, boats and even a picnic bench.

It is a drop in the ocean when Police Scotland faces a looming deficit of nearly £200million and is planning to axe up to 400 officers.

Sales from its Aladdin’s cave last year raised £80,474, while the 2015 figure was £121,304.

Anything seized or handed in is considered ‘abandoned’ after three months and can legally be disposed of by the force.

Devices which contain personal information, such as USB sticks, mobile phones or laptops, are among the items which cannot be sold. They are securely destroyed if unclaimed.

A spokesman said: ‘The money raised from abandoned and/or seized items and found property sold as a result of the police auction contract is incorporated into the general Police Scotland budget – it is not earmarked for any specific spend.’

Some items, such as wheelchairs, are donated to charities.

Objects which regularly get handed in to police stations include money, bank cards, garden equipment, golf clubs, prams and bikes.