150 mobile phones lost at T

Jul 15 2011 by Denis Brown, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

150 mobile phones lost at T

WHILE hangovers of those who over-indulged at T in the Park are now long gone, a major headache for police is just beginning.

So far, 700 items have been stockpiled at a dedicated lost and found property office at Perth police HQ, where phones have been ringing off the hook.

“As soon as you finish a call and put the phone down, you can start a countdown from five, but only get to three or two before it rings again,” explained custodian Brian Malcolm.

Based in a portacabin with a shipping container for storing items, he and PCs Katie Deas and Alan Leitch, have so far reunited about 200 items with rightful owners.

The haul includes assorted luggage, wallets and purses, mobile phones and some more bizarre belongings, such as a large furry snake.

“We were wondering what we’d get this year – last year we had a stuffed unicorn, which wasn’t claimed and ended up being sold at public auction,” he said.

“At the moment we have 150 mobile phones, including six iPhones, 15 Blackberries and several HTCs, you name it, we’ve got it.

“Most of the rucksacks and suitcases have things in them, like one case that’s full of alcohol, bottles of beer and wine.”

Initially collected at two lost property sites at the festival’s arena and campsite, the items are then transported to Barrack Street and kept for two months under the Civic Government Scotland act.

“Then it’s case of working through the unclaimed stuff, working out what’s to be sold at public auction or given to charities,” he said.

Call the T in the Park lost and found property office until August 26 on 01738 587 343 from 9am–4.30pm, Monday to Friday.