Online auction for police hauls

Surrey police say 10% of property is suitable for auction

The public are being allowed to bid online for items seized or found by Surrey police.

The Bumblebee Auctions website goes live on Tuesday.

The force said the profits of the website would go to charity or back into the local police division.

Each item will be listed in a seven-day auction with a starting price of £1.

Unique website

The auction site is linked to the Virtual Bumblebee site, which showcases items lost or recovered by police.

Property will be shown on the Virtual Bumblebee site for 30 days - then transferred to the auction site for sale.

However, if the item is claimed by a member of the public, it can be pulled from auction.

Inspector Brian Whicher, who set up both websites, said the scheme was unique.

"Seventeen forces were at one time working with internet auction companies but when they decided to withdraw from the market, it created an opportunity for us to build and control a system ourselves."