You want weird? TfL once found a human skull—turns out it was a medical specimen, not a crime scene. There’s also the Edinburgh Crystal vase that sat unclaimed for months, and a giant inflatable banana that probably came from a stag do gone wrong. My personal favorite: a jar of pickled onions that was returned to its owner, who was “very happy” to have them back. I mean, who gets that attached to pickled onions?
But let’s be real: the most common lost item is the humble phone, followed by wallets and keys. Every day, dozens of iPhones arrive at the office, their screens glowing with desperate “Find My Phone” notifications. It’s a bit like a digital orphanage in there.
The Interview with a Lost Property Agent
I spoke to a staff member (name withheld, but she’s a legend) who told me that the best part of the job is reuniting someone with a sentimental item. She recalled a woman who lost a handmade quilt from her grandmother—three months later, it showed up, and the woman cried. On the flip side, the worst is when people claim stuff that isn’t theirs. “We’ve had people try to claim other people’s wedding rings,” she said, shaking her head. Some people, I swear.
NotLost win TfL contract to replace Europe’s largest lost property
She also shared that the office gets about 300 calls a day, and the queue for in-person visits can be an hour long. So, if you’re planning to visit, bring a snack and a good podcast. Oh, and bring ID—they won’t hand over your lost laptop to just anyone, even if you look trustworthy.
