Property not returned by police

[wjwren]

My property was seized in February by the police. The police have issued a NFA but I've been pestering them for 2 months to get my property back. Is there a time scale?

[georgeyboy12345]

You’ll get it back eventually. What is it and why was it seized?

[soad]

Probably a mobile phone.

[sherman]

You will get a phone call in about 6 months time from a grumpy sergeant telling you that you have a couple of days to collect your item from whatever police station its in or they will be binning it.

[donkmeister]

Try telling them you pay their wages, that always works.

But what is it? Is it important you get that precise one back (e.g. a sentimental item) or is it something replaceable (e.g. a phone) where you could try issuing them with a claim for replacement value and seeing if it magically turns up then?

[Heathwood]

Either raise a complaint with the relevant force or perhaps a civil claim. There should be info on their website regarding both.

[Monkeylegend]

Report it as stolen to the police.

[Short Grain]

I had property returned nearly a year after an incident, I'd almost forgotten about it and then got a knock on the door and was handed a sealed brown paper sack. No paperwork or delivery note. Might have been a few numbers / codes on it, can't remember.

[iDrive]

It will depend on what the property is and the circumstances under which it was seized - There may be NFA in relation to their investigation into you, but your property may still be relevant in relation to others, depending on what the incident/investigation is.

Police seize property from people who have not committed any offence because it is relevant to an investigation into a 3rd party, so the only answer is to speak to the Officer in the Case or their supervisor.

[iDrive]

And it is surprisingly common for people to submit official complaints because the drugs seized by Police have not been returned to them.

Obviously those complaints do get recorded on the Official figures, just to add context next time they are published...

[XCP]

Without knowing what it is and why it was seized this is an impossible question to answer.

[119]

Monkeylegend said:

Report it as stolen to the police.

[wjwren]

It's a phone. I spoke to the officer in charge around endnof August and they said they would arrange to get jt back

[sherman]

wjwren said:

It's a phone. I spoke to the officer in charge around endnof August and they said they would arrange to get jt back

I stand by my first statement then.

[Greendubber]

wjwren said:

It's a phone. I spoke to the officer in charge around endnof August and they said they would arrange to get jt back

Have you got contact details still?

If so, get back onto them and they should sort it out.

[wjwren]

I've emailed several times. Called 101 and they have emailed officer. Went to local police station they phoned then officer said case was closed and they would phone me. Never had a phone call.
Phone the property department they said they can't release it until its signed off.

[LosingGrip]

wjwren said:

I've emailed several times. Called 101 and they have emailed officer. Went to local police station they phoned then officer said case was closed and they would phone me. Never had a phone call.
Phone the property department they said they can't release it until its signed off.

I'd chase again or go down the complaint route.

Phone 101 and ask for a complaint to be raised with the officers supervisor.

You'll get it back pretty quick after that. Assuming it's not needed anymore.

[Greendubber]

wjwren said:

I've emailed several times. Called 101 and they have emailed officer. Went to local police station they phoned then officer said case was closed and they would phone me. Never had a phone call.
Phone the property department they said they can't release it until its signed off.

As said above, make a complaint. If they've told you it can be released then they need to sort it out for you, it's a very quick progress in my force so there's not really any reason for it to take so long or for the officer not to at least reply to you.