Want school to offer a replacement or some money

[craigton0506]

This my first post and need some advice. Two weeks ago my son lost his mobile phone in his school, (The school allows them have phones with them). We live quite far from the school so he needs it in case of emergencies etc. Anyway a member of staff found it and handed it into the office. He was told to come and collect it, but the next day when he went to collect it he was told it had been misplaced. I have phoned several times and have been told they definitely had it but just don't know what has happened to it. It is an iPhone 5c and a relatively new one. I am self employed and cannot afford a new phone for him at the moment. The school has apologised but have offered no further help. Should I insist that they contribute towards a new phone. Thnks

Try the police non emergency number for advice.

Is it claimable on your insurance policy?

Bit on the fence tbh.

If i find a phone and then hand it in, am I then liable until its collected? 'Cos best not to find anything if so.

Amd dont schools have a "not our responsibilty" clause for expensive items?

Tricky. Was handed in and then went missing again, so lost by THEM

Was it named? You can get discreet little labels from easytoname. I got a load printed with surname and phone number and have had all sorts of things returned. Obviously no defence against theft but 90% of the time it's absentmindedness.

Yes it's theft now it it's 30 mins drive from the school.

In your position, I'd buy a cheapy until you/someone else's phone becomes available for an upgrade. Then he can have a decent phone again and hopefully learn not to lose it.

Although the school clearly has a theft issue (someone who had access to that office nicked it, presumably it's locked to prevent student entry when unoccupied?) I still wouldn't expect the money from them. Someone has nicked it, not the school. The poor school have employed a thief in some capacity.

This is a very unfortunate situation, and it must be horrible for both you and your son, phones are not cheap. I genuinely hope it wasn't on contract as you won't be able to cancel it if the phone doesn't turn up. Sadly, i don't think there is any chance of you getting the school to reimburse you any money. I notice in my local gym and in carparks big signs plastered about how any property left on the premises is at your own risk and they aren't liable to pay for damage or loss. I would imagine a phone left on the premises, even if handed in to lost property/the office, would still fall under this.
Hopefully the phone has simply been moved by someone with access to the office and it will turn up. There is the other possibility though, that a cleaner, pupil, or even a staff member, may have stolen it after it was handed in.
By any chance did you write down the IMEI number from the phone, or still have the box it came in which should have this written on it? You could use that information to prove the handset belongs to your son if it is found some time later and disputed who it belongs to, or to report it stolen and have it "bricked" which basically makes it a very expensive paperweight and useless to whomever stole it if it turns out to be stolen.

Sorry i just noticed your post on this page (still getting used to the chat section, i didnt realise the posts on the first page wasn't ALL the posts in the thread, oops!)
Now it has been confirmed as definitely stolen it's a situation of damage limitation and attempt at recovery. Go to the police and report the phone stolen, which will give you a crime reference number. Contact your network provider, alert them to the theft, give them the crime reference number, and ask them to block the phone. Definitely note down the IMEI number of the phone from the box if you still have it. If the thief tries to sell the phone to a shop/trader etc, or if they ditch it because it is blocked and someone hands it in to the police, they should check the IMEI number and will see the phone is stolen. Having the IMEI number yourself will make returning the phone to you much smoother and quicker if it is recovered as it's basically indisputeable evidence it was his phone.
I cannot express enough my hope that you are able to get this phone back, and hopefully also find the culprit who stole it and have them punished. Theft is a despicable crime and anyone that brazen and selfish deserves the punishment.

Did you take a screen shot when it was showing up on Find my iPhone? It's obviously been stolen so I'd go to the police now.