Essex bus company reveals strange list of lost property items

A bus company revealed some rather surprising items passengers had left on buses over the past year.

Adult toys, bank cards, a pushchair, a stepladder, a fireguard, false teeth and garden furniture were among the approximately 5,000 items found by First Bus staff in Essex in 2025.

Jim Ward, operations manager at their Colchester depot, said only about one in five of the lost items were ever claimed back.

“We hold items for 28 days, and if no one claims them back, we give them to charity – others get recycled,” he said.

He added that some items that get lost and hold particular sentimental value are children’s toys.

“Kid’s teddy bears – they are really important to that young child, and it’s nice to see a smile on their face when they get it back,” he said.

The number of lost property items on First Bus buses increased by almost half in 2025 compared to the previous year.

Christine Hampson, the depot assistant at Colchester depot, said she had logged more than 160 items so far this year alone.

“Every day I am logging items – I don’t know why more people are losing stuff,” she said.

“Backpacks, coats, scarves, bags, shoes, glasses, books, drinks containers, keys, medication, phones, wallets are all left behind.”

Ward said First Bus is urging people to claim their property either at the depot or online.

“If it’s been logged, we can find it for you,” he said.