Police to sell unclaimed stolen property on internet auction site

UNRETURNED and unclaimed stolen and lost property is to be sold off by Avon and Somerset police via an internet based auction website.
Bumblebee Auctions, a website specifically created for police forces, will be used to sell the property along similar lines to eBay.
Previously, the police relied on traditional auction houses to sell such property, but have now turned the internet.
Avon and Somerset Constabulary detained property manager Ken Dawes said: “Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we are unable to return recovered property to its original owner and in the majority of these cases the property is sold.
“In accordance with the Police Property Regulations 1997, the proceeds are used to help the local community by donating to charitably causes, schools, and local community-based projects.
“It is hoped that Bumblebee Auctions will expose these items to a wider audience and as a result generate increased funds.”
Mr Dawes said if an item could not be returned to its owner, it would be photographed and uploaded to the website with a brief description before it went on sale, initially for seven days.
Like other online auction sites, bidders register with the Bumblebee website prior to placing a bid and can then bid as many times as they like.
The item goes to the highest bidder at the close of the sale.
Payment is made online via Nochex and the website contains full, easy to follow instructions.
Mr Dawes said: “Typical items of property which will be sold on this site include jewellery, watches, electrical goods, pedal bikes, tools, CDs and DVDs, and games consoles.
“But there really is no limit to the type of thing which could be offered for sale, so if you do no't see what you are after on your first attempt, try again seven days later and as there are no minimum bids, you could pick up a bargain.”

• Our photograph shows a sample of the types of item which police will be selling on the internet auction site. Photo submitted.

Stolen stone cockerels hold sentimental value

POLICE are appealing for information following the theft of two sentimental stone ornamental cockerels from the doorstep of a Quantocks village home.
The ornaments, which were a gift to the owner’s late husband, hold great sentimental value and were believed to have been stolen between 10 am and 1 pm on Friday, November 14.
They were kept outside the front door of the owner’s home in Mill Lane, Nether Stowey.
Police are keen to talk to anybody who was in the area at the time or who may have seen something suspicious.
Anybody with any information should contact Bridgwater Police Station on 0845 456 7000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

• Our photograph shows the two stone cockerels. Photo by Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

Appeal for information after ride-on lawnmower stolen

POLICE are appealing for information after a ride-on lawnmower was stolen from an outbuilding on the Quantock Hills.
The John Deere X410 (pictured) was taken from a barn in Spaxton, between 9 pm on Monday, October 27, and 8 am on the following morning.
Suspects forced entry to the building and took the lawnmower, although no other property was reported to have been taken.
Police are appealing for witnesses, who may have seen anything suspicious to contact them.
PSCO Katey Wells said: “Securing rural garden buildings and out houses is a priority. Make sure all doors and windows are secured, with visible locks.
“It is also beneficial to join the rural watch scheme, a security marking initiative.
“For more information you can contact the beat team via www.avonandsomerset.police.uk.
“Alternatively, you can speak to the crime reduction team at your local police station.”
Anybody with information which may help police with their inquiries in the lawnmover theft should contact the Bridgwater police station on 0845 456 7000.
Or, they can use the independent Crimestoppers charity anonymously and confidentially on 0800 555111.
A secure Crimestoppers contact form is also available online at https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/crimestoppers/ContactForm.aspx.

Night time Exmoor farm raiders net £12,000 of machinery

QUAD bikes and farm equipment valued at £12,000 have been stolen in a night time raid on an isolated Exmoor farm.
The thieves forced their way into a barn at the unnamed farm in Simonsbath between 8 pm on Friday, January 18, and 8 am on Saturday, January 19.
They stole two Yamaha quad bikes (similar to the one pictured, right) and a Wessex Jensen towed wood chipper and other farming equipment.
Details have just been published by the police - nearly two weeks after the crime was committed.
Exmoor neighbourhood beat manager PC Alan Edwards is appealing for anybody who might have any information about the offence to contact him by calling 0845 4567000 or using the free Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111, where they do not have to leave their name but they could receive a reward.

Exmoor distraction burglary pensioner loses cash and jewellery

AN elderly Exmoor woman has had more than £500 of cash and jewellery stolen from her home after a bogus workman lured her outside her front door.
The distraction burglary happened in Bridgetown at about 3.15 pm on Tuesday, January 22, but details have only just been released by the police.
The woman answered a knock at the door by a man who said he had ‘come to sort out the drains’.
She followed him outside, and there was what police described as ‘a cursory examination’ of a drain before the man then left.
When the woman returned to her house, she discovered somebody had stolen cash and jewellery to the value of £550.
Police are appealing for anybody who might have any information about the offence.
To contact PC Jeff Trimmings by calling 0845 4567000 or using the free Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111, where they do not have to leave their name but they could receive a reward.
The Bridgetown incident follows a recent warning by police for home owners to be on the look-out for bogus workmen who may say they are looking to spruce up their home or garden, but could leave them counting the cost.
Police spokesman Dan Mountain said: “Historically, this time of year often sees more reports of bogus workmen and rogue traders as people look to have home improvements and garden landscaping work done before the spring.”
He said in one recent incident in the Bridgwater area, a 92-year-old woman was charged several thousands of pounds for work on her garden, driveway, and roof.
However, the work was never carried out and she was left out of pocket.
Police are expecting many home owners to receive a knock at the door offering such services as weed clearing, hedge trimming, and tree surgery.
The official advice is to always use a reputable, local tradesman when possible, and to talk to friends, family, and neighbours and look for a firm to be recommended by the, while always obtaining three competitive quotes.
Mr Mountain said: “Reputable tradesmen will have no problem in supplying a quote and full contact or billing details - not just a mobile phone number.”
Police also advise home owners to always check photographic ID, to never let anybody into their home whom they are not entirely comfortable with, and not to feel embarrassed if they feel they need to make a telephone call to ensure the caller is who they say they are.

Appeal by police after town suffers spate of car crime

POLICE in Watchet are appealing for information after a series of cars were damaged and one stolen.
At least four cars were broken into and damaged in the Quantock Road and Wyndham Road area of the town between Friday, December 28, and Sunday, December 30.
During one of the incidents, overnight from Saturday, December 29, into the following morning, a Ford Fiesta car was stolen from Quantock Road and recovered a short time later by police officers.
Police would like to speak to anybody who may have witnessed any of the above incidents or may have any information to help police inquiries.
Anybody who can help is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or through the secure Crimestoppers contact form at https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/crimestoppers/ContactForm.aspx.
People do not have to give their name, but they could receive a reward.

Readers asked to help police trace man in connection with Porlock burglary

POLICE are asking for help from readers of The Post in a bid to catch a burglar who struck in Porlock.
The burglary happened at a public house in the village almost six months ago, on June 30.
In connection with the inquiry, police are trying to trace a white man whom they think may be able to help with their investigation into the burglary.
The crime happened between 5.30 pm and 10 pm, and bank cards were stolen and subsequently used at various locations in the UK, whereby several hundreds of pounds were withdrawn.
The man police want to trace is pictured here, wearing glasses and a white shirt.
Anybody with any information regarding this case should contact Crimestoppers immediately by telephoning 0800 555 111. They do not have to leave a name, but they could receive a reward.
Alternatively, they can use the secure Crimestoppers contact form available at https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/crimestoppers/ContactForm.aspx.