Lost property: how to get to the CCTV

[mef13]

Specifically, if I have left something on a train, then if Know Your Train has the number of the unit, I might be able to track it down without having to use Lost Property.

Hi, I have left something on an Avanti train yesterday. I know which one so might you be able to help? I tracked it to Manchester but it wasn’t there when I went and asked.
thanks
mef

 

[jfollows]

Find & Report Your Train Lost Property | Avanti West Coast

Have you left something on the train or at the station? From left luggage to forgotten teddies, we'll do our best to reunite you with your train lost property.

www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk

Although last time it happened to me it was useless, but better to try than not at all.

 

[skyhigh]

Hi, I have left something on an Avanti train yesterday. I know which one so might you be able to help? I tracked it to Manchester but it wasn’t there when I went and asked.
thanks
mef

@bspahh was giving an example of why unit numbers would be useful to the public, not offering to assist with finding lost items.

I would suggest either contacting Avanti customer services or starting a new thread to ask for help so your request doesn't get lost in an unrelated thread.

 

[skyhigh]

I’ve seen elsewhere that CCTV has been used to track lost property, what’s the way to do that?

Report the loss to BTP and they can request CCTV. Alternatively contact customer services for the train company to look into.

The train company won't show you the footage.

 

[Andrew1395]

In my experience only TfL has a functioning lost property service.

 

[styles]

In my experience only TfL has a functioning lost property service.

I found LNER's to be quite decent when I left a suit on a train. I did have to travel to get it back mind.

 

[Andrew1395]

I think part of the problem is the confusion on who you approach. Leave an item on the rear portion of an Avanti train to Holyhead that splits at Chester. Do you contact the Train operator, Transpott for Wales the station manager for Chester. Or if it is discovered on the return trip and handed in at Euston - Network Rail?

 

[styles]

I think part of the problem is the confusion on who you approach. Leave an item on the rear portion of an Avanti train to Holyhead that splits at Chester. Do you contact the Train operator, Transpott for Wales the station manager for Chester. Or if it is discovered on the return trip and handed in at Euston - Network Rail?

In theory, whoever you like, and they will redirect you to the appropriate place. If Avanti think it's at the Left Luggage at Euston they can give you their contact details. We shouldn't really expect passengers to know the ins and outs of lost luggage, just point them in the right direction to the person who can help.

Similar for when incorrectly trying to claim a refund for a delayed train journey, the retailer should direct the customer to the TOC who caused the delay. Or if someone tries to claim delay repay for a journey they ended up not making, the TOC should direct them to their retailer for a refund.

 

[Haywain]

In theory, whoever you like, and they will redirect you to the appropriate place. If Avanti think it's at the Left Luggage at Euston they can give you their contact details. We shouldn't really expect passengers to know the ins and outs of lost luggage, just point them in the right direction to the person who can help.

Theory isn’t much help if you have actually lost something and are trying to get it back. Where the item might be will depend on where and by whom it was found, and what they then did with it. Railway staff can only point people in the multiple right directions to ask.

 

[styles]

Theory isn’t much help if you have actually lost something and are trying to get it back. Where the item might be will depend on where and by whom it was found, and what they then did with it. Railway staff can only point people in the multiple right directions to ask.

That's my point though, that's how it should work, and in my experience, how it does work.

Yeah it would be nice if a passenger didn't have to make 2-3 phone calls when 1 could do, but I've never actually had an issue finding where my lost luggage is, even if I contacted the wrong organisation initially.

 

[Haywain]

That's my point though, that's how it should work, and in my experience, how it does work.

Yeah it would be nice if a passenger didn't have to make 2-3 phone calls when 1 could do, but I've never actually had an issue finding where my lost luggage is, even if I contacted the wrong organisation initially.

And we note from another thread that an item lost on a TPE service to Manchester Piccadilly was taken off the train by the guard and was handed to the police rather than lost property. My point is that theory isn’t helping the OP.

 

[styles]

And we note from another thread that an item lost on a TPE service to Manchester Piccadilly was taken off the train by the guard and was handed to the police rather than lost property. My point is that theory isn’t helping the OP.

The only real answer to OP is to make a Subject Access Request to the train operator.

Sometimes systems go wrong. They should gather evidence of this and complain.

 

[Tim_UK]

In my experience only TfL has a functioning lost property service.

18 months ago. I left some items between Leeds and Wakefield. And got them back from kings cross with a small fee.

lner told me they go to the end of the line. I filled in a lost property form, got a phone call a few weeks later.

And I went to King’s Cross left luggage to get my stuff. And paid a small fee. The pickup was probably the nicest customer services interaction I’ve had in my life. Straight forward, and efficient, helpful and friendly.

 

[demirae]

I would contact btp as they can check cctv for you! The train company will not show you the footage, I tried requesting it but they refused. You might be waiting up to a week/couple of weeks after contacting btp but they will find it for you! I’ve recently retrieved my bag after it being lost for a while, it wasn’t handed into any of the train stations..turns out it was at the police station.

 

[mef13]

Thanks, all. In this case the system worked and the case ended up in Lost Property at Euston who contacted me having matched it to my report on the web.

Avanti had assured me it would be taken off at Manchester initially before then saying it could be anywhere on the network.

I can’t see why rail staff can’t have access to a system that allows lost property to be reported as soon as found and linked to the actual train.

Oh well, something for the 22nd Century, perhaps!

mef

 

[Pacef8]

I was on a merseyrail train the other day and within two stops the guard came through the train and collected the guys bag so they have a good system . For once !

 

[Dr_Intoxicated]

Yes a few years ago I realised I had left my bag in the overhead. I went to the station master and he phoned the station down the line with a description and location. I was able to get the next train and pick up my bag from the station masters office. They boarded the train and retrieved it for me. This was SWT, before SWR took over.