Lost phones, wallets, and even a power generator – Poznań’s Lost Property Office has seen it all. With over 4,500 items registered in 2024 alone, what are Poznanians losing, and how are these items making their way back to their owners?
The Growing Role of the Lost Property Office
The Lost Property Office of Poznań, nestled within the City Hall at Plac Kolegiacki 17, has become a vital hub for reuniting residents with their lost belongings. From modern smartphones to vintage stamp collections, the range of items brought in each year is staggering.
We’ve seen a steady increase in the number of items brought to us. In 2024, we received approximately 4,500 items, but only about 30% were successfully returned to their rightful owners.
said Natalia Nowak, a senior specialist at the office.
Items eligible for deposit must meet strict criteria. They must have a value exceeding 100 zł, be found within Poznań, and not be deliberately discarded. Despite these limitations, the office receives a fascinating array of belongings every year.
Phones, Wallets, and… Generators?
By far, the most commonly lost items are mobile phones. In 2024 alone, nearly 200 were turned in, ranging from sleek iPhones to basic feature phones. Wallets are another frequent guest, often containing cash and identification documents. This past year saw 180 wallets returned to the office, many of which were quickly reunited with their owners.
However, the Lost Property Office is no stranger to peculiar discoveries. Among the more unusual finds of 2024 were a signed football, a transverse flute, and even a bicycle frame. In previous years, they’ve handled items as unexpected as power generators, baby strollers, and suitcases filled with blank Valentine’s Day cards.
Tracking down owners isn’t always straightforward. In cases involving mobile phones, the office often depends on mobile operators to notify the owners, but this approach doesn’t always lead to successful reunions, adding an extra layer of complexity to the process.
How Lost Items Are Tracked
When an item is brought to the Lost Property Office, a meticulous process begins. Staff investigate the item’s origin and ownership. For wallets with identification cards, the process is relatively straightforward. Documents are returned to the issuing office, and owners are contacted using official records.
When we receive wallets, ID cards, or driving licences, it’s a matter of reaching out to the respective offices. It’s more complicated with loyalty cards or SIM cards. In those cases, we work with businesses or mobile operators, though they don’t always cooperate.
explained Nowak.
Lost documents such as passports or ID cards are usually sent to the police after three days if unclaimed, while payment cards are returned to their respective banks.
The MPK Connection: Lost and Found on the Move
Poznań’s public transport company, MPK, also operates its own Lost Property Office, dealing with items left behind on buses and trams. These include keys, umbrellas, children’s toys, and even winter gloves. After an initial holding period, unclaimed items are transferred to the main office at Plac Kolegiacki.
The MPK Lost Property Office, located at Głogowska 133, is open twice a week and works to identify owners where possible. Items such as PEKA transport cards are forwarded to the city’s transport management office, while personal documents are handed over to the police.
The most surprising finds come from public transport. One day, we received a guitar left on a tram. Another time, it was an electric scooter.
said an MPK employee.
An Unlikely Treasure Chest
Among the items currently waiting to be reclaimed are bicycles, headphones, jewellery, and even prescription glasses. Some, like rare vintage watches or high-end electronics, spark curiosity but remain unclaimed. The office has also seen an impressive number of cash recoveries, with 2024 marking a record for unclaimed money. Remarkably, envelopes of cash found in the street are not uncommon, a testament to the honesty of those who choose to turn them in.
For anyone hoping to recover a lost item, the city’s website offers a live registry of found belongings. Recent entries include a Canon camera, a golden bracelet, and even a violin, all awaiting their rightful owners.
What Happens to Unclaimed Items?
Owners have two years to claim their property, provided they can prove ownership. This includes providing identification and paying a small administrative fee. If no one comes forward within that period, the finder has the right to claim the item. If the finder also doesn’t retrieve it, the item becomes city property.
It’s a fair system. We always try to prioritise returning items to their owners. But for those unclaimed, the finders can enjoy a happy surprise.
said Nowak.
How to Report or Recover Items
Those looking to report or retrieve lost property can visit the Lost Property Office from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Appointments are encouraged and can be made by phone or email. For a seamless process, it’s best to have documentation proving ownership.
So, if you’ve misplaced something valuable in Poznań, don’t despair. It might just be sitting at the Lost Property Office, waiting to find its way back to you.
