Recovering personal posessions seized by police

[Tolstoy1]

Hello, a 'former'-friend had some of their property seized by police as possible evidence in a criminal case. My computer was in the house and seized at the time. The court case has now completed. Obviously my computer proved not relevant to the case, but how do I recover my property? I don't want to bother the police on 101- or is that the way to proceed? I read that the police should have contacted me but this is over a year later and I have lots of personal memories invested in that device I should like to recover ! I can't really afford a new computer right now.

Wow, why have you waited a year to get it back? I'd have been hounding them right from the start!

I'd call the police station that originally took it and ask them where it is. It should have been returned to you, surely? Did they give you a receipt for it?

They were sympathetic but said they still had to do a forensic search of the computer because my friend had used it- which takes months because of the backlog of such cases. I thought that reasonable in the circumstances.

Timescale isn't a major issue, police have to keep items for years depending on the investigation.

As pp said did you get a receipt for it? If so I'd contact that station directly, they should be able to confirm where it is (they may not be able to tell you immediately so it could be a case of calling you back) and make arrangements for you to collect.

9/10 they do not even send them away, ring 101 ask to speak directly to who ever deals with the case and ask for your property back immediately if you don't get futher look up who the superintendent is and email in a full complaint.

9/10 times

Totally ok to ring 101 about this, it's the non emergency number. Alternatively to save you waiting on hold you should be able to find an email address for the force you want to contact. Try and include details. If you don't know the crime reference then tell them the address it was seized from and date and the name & date of birth of your friend.

I lost a box of