Police make crime pay by selling ‘bent gear’ on ebay
POLICE forces across the UK have made millions by using ebay to sell off items seized from criminals.
Since 2017, more than £2.6million has been made by forces including Sussex, Leicestershire, Thames Valley and Cheshire.
They have sold designer watches, jewellery, electronics and even a selection of First World War letters using the online auction platform.
The valuables are goods seized from criminals as either the proceeds of crime or stolen from victims.
Officers in Sussex have raised £1,435,940 over the past five years, according to a Sunday Express Freedom of Information request, selling a total of 29,453 items. The most expensive item of “bent gear” sold was a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Daydate Rose Gold watch for £38,300.
Other unlikely items sold include a full-size, two-man canoe for £101.89 and a selection of letters written in the trenches of the First World War, which made £81. Listings also show two gold bars sold for more than £1,300 each, four Audi 22-inch alloy wheels for £1,650 and a Pearl Necklace 18ct White Gold Diamond Clasp for £1,305.
The force’s Sussex Police Auctions ebay account enjoys a 99.8 per cent positive feedback rating, having sold 41,000 items with a following of 49,000 ebayers since it launched in 2015.
A spokesman, said: “The proceeds go to the Police Property Act
Fund, which supports local charitable organisations carrying out community projects in Sussex, as well as the running costs of the evidence store and funding the four-strong team that runs the account. It also provides cost savings, as the items would otherwise have to be disposed under regulations.”
Sussex Police isn’t the only force selling seized goods via auction and on ebay.
Leicestershire was the first force to use the site to sell assets paid for with cash generated through criminal activity – 13 years ago, in 2009. Between 2017 and 2021, figures released to
us show the force raised an impressive £1,236,279 from the sale of 5,280 items. More than 10,000 people follow the force’s Leicester Police Property Disposal page, which has a 100 per cent positive feedback rating, having sold more than 13,000 items in total.
Previous items sold include handbags by Mulberry, Louis Vuitton and Vivienne Westwood, as well as Christian Louboutin heels.
Current ebay sale listings show an LG television, BMW car parts, a Makita Electric Disc Cutter and Stone Saw, plus a military issue water bottle, pouch and utility belt.
David Spencer at the Centre of Crime Prevention, added: “It is absolutely right that criminals should not be allowed to profit from their crimes. This should send out a message to all criminals that your crimes won’t pay.”