Passport Stolen. Holiday next week

[PopsandBangs]

As above really.

I’ve had my passport (along with some other inconsequential worthless things) stolen from my car.

We are due to go on an extremely desperately needed holiday next week (Friday 20th).

My flights, visas, hotels, insurance etc all booked with that passport, the latter two only yesterday.

House has been turned upside down, it’s gone.

I see the fast track passport service is completely buggered at the moment. Can’t even make an appointment.

Is that me done then?

[PopsandBangs]

Had exactly the same thought. Had a brief look up and down the road. Will have a more expansive search tomorrow.

It was in a clear plastic folder with some docs which I left in the boot. Came out to the car with door slightly ajar, and glovebox open. Boot opens with button by gearstick, even if car off

No idea what to do. Will try the passport office number tomorrow but I reckon im on a hiding to nothing

[PopsandBangs]

Setting aside what’s happened, all I give a fk about is going away with partner next week - is there anything else one can do apart from try and try with a fast track passport? Turn up to the Passport Office in person and grovel ?!

Edited by PopsandBangs on Wednesday 11th May 20:34

[PopsandBangs]

Thanks all.

Going to search everywhere again on the off chance it wasn’t it there (it was) and go to the Victoria office first thing in the morning.

All I can do really

[PopsandBangs]

loskie said:

holiday/travel insurance to cover losses?

only took it out 24 hrs ago...! Hope so if it comes to that. Has been a lot of money.

However going away on this trip we've planned and looked forward to for months/years is the priority.

Gutted.

[PopsandBangs]

Stood in a queue for 3 hrs (no appointment), sorry , tough luck, try for an appointment, Next!

The fact it was stolen yesterday, the crime number and proximity to flight held no water. Was as politely and friendly persistent as possible. Computer says no. Same for everyone I overheard. Can try a special number for emergency "life or death" situations passport applications with evidence...

Managed to get through to the booking page for the Online Premium 1 day service online, but you cant use it if lost or stolen!

I think need I need to go up and try Peterborough tomorrow. And keep trying the online appointments.

Wandering around Victoria in a daze - need a beer

[PopsandBangs]

GCH said:

PopsandBangs said:

Managed to get through to the booking page for the Online Premium 1 day service online, but you cant use it if lost or stolen!

As said previously, and as I also said, they can and do make exceptions as I can personally attest to, but in person only - not over the phone, and not at the door.
You are very unlikely to even be allowed in without an appointment, as you found out, so try online again, make that same day appointment when it next appears stating it is a renewal (do not tick the lost/stolen option), and go plead your case in person. That is your only option at this point unless you fancy being economical with the truth and claiming a bereavement necessitating urgent travel (which they will probably ask for proof of).

Edited by GCH on Thursday 12th May 15:49

Do you think it could work, even with 4 years left on the current one? I'll try.

I thought about the latter suggestion, but everyone i overheard with that reason was asked for evidence as you say.

[PopsandBangs]

Found this on the Gov website, about issuing passport on compassionate grounds:

Definition of compassionate grounds
We will consider issuing passports to customers that do not meet the criteria but
have evidence of compassionate travel. For example:
• they, a family member or a friend has a serious illness or accident
• the death of a family member or friend
• they and their carers need to travel abroad for medical treatment
• they and their carers have had travel arranged by a charitable or religious
organisation

• *****they are victims of a crime resulting in the theft of their passport and have prebooked travel within 1 week********

• they work (or are about to start work) in the haulage industry (for example, lorry
drivers)
• they work (or about to start work) in the food preparation, supply or distribution

[PopsandBangs]

Passport stolen and the customer is travelling within 7 days
If the customers passport has been stolen and they are travelling within 7 days, you
must check that the customer has provided acceptable evidence:
• that their passport was stolen (for example, a police report or crime reference
number)
• of pre-booked travel

[PopsandBangs]

Rosscow said:

PopsandBangs said:

Passport stolen and the customer is travelling within 7 days
If the customers passport has been stolen and they are travelling within 7 days, you
must check that the customer has provided acceptable evidence:
• that their passport was stolen (for example, a police report or crime reference
number)
• of pre-booked travel

Sounds like a goer.

Did you get a crime ref. number?

Yep. The woman at the counter didnt want to know, when offered it she said "we cant do anything with it call this number."

On hold to Emergency Travel number...

[PopsandBangs]

Rollin said:

PopsandBangs said:

Rosscow said:

PopsandBangs said:

Passport stolen and the customer is travelling within 7 days
If the customers passport has been stolen and they are travelling within 7 days, you
must check that the customer has provided acceptable evidence:
• that their passport was stolen (for example, a police report or crime reference
number)
• of pre-booked travel

Sounds like a goer.

Did you get a crime ref. number?

Yep. The woman at the counter didnt want to know, when offered it she said "we cant do anything with it call this number."

On hold to Emergency Travel number...

I think PopsandBangs and co will fly!!!

Sincerely hope so…no luck on the phone, went back to PO but closed. up at midnight with two phones and laptop trying for online Premium same day passport, and back up to London PO 7:30am tomorrow ….have found more wording about counter staff being obliged to consider in person premium same day applications to those in my exact situation…. Whether that’ll fly while the systems on its knees I don’t know.

Everything crossed

Edited by PopsandBangs on Thursday 12th May 21:10

[PopsandBangs]

I made it

Spent wed, thurs, fri and sat queuing at the London office, and was continuously fobbed off (even asked to leave on friday.)

Spent all those days on hold on two phones to various lines too, and also fobbed off/hung up on.

It was only when I showed info from Home Office website that having it reported stolen with crime number and evidence of pre-booked travel that someone at the Enquiries desk did anything (despite saying they couldn't at getting angry with me, and telling me to call the numbers.)

I insisted she spoke to the person on my phone and stood there waiting to get through, was hung up on and waited again... all the while people screaming and shouting and crying and arguing at the counters. It's chaos down there atm.

Got given a special secret email address to send info, did a speedy new application on my laptop - the person helping me happened to go on lunch with a colleague who works in the emergency document team (bumped into them outside on their way...) and asked personally if they could help again. They took my name again, and I presume had a chat over lunch about me as it then got sorted.

Is the below a world record in the current ststorm?

Collected Passport Monday afternoon, still warm from the printer.


Passport printed 2:27pm on 16 May 2022
Application approved 1:16pm on 16 May 2022
Application being processed 10:01am on 16 May 2022
Identity details received 11:13am on 14 May 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 10:42am on 14 May 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 10:31am on 14 May 2022
Ask someone to confirm your identity 10:24am on 14 May 2022
Application submitted 10:24am on 14 May 2022