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Found an item? Your responsibilities

What to do when you find someone else's property — your responsibilities and how to return it safely.

Found something in Bristol? Handling it responsibly protects both you and the owner. Rules vary by location, but the principles are consistent.

  1. Make a reasonable effort to find the owner. Check for ID, contact details, or anything that identifies who it belongs to.
  2. Don't assume it's yours to keep. Keeping found property without trying to return it can have legal consequences. When in doubt, hand it in.
  3. Hand valuables to the authorities. Report significant or high-value finds to the police non-emergency line for Bristol; they'll log it and may issue a reference.
  4. Store it safely. Keep the item secure and unchanged while you try to return it.
  5. Post a found listing. Add a found-item listing for Bristol with enough detail for the real owner to identify it — while holding back one verifying detail.

Helpful resources for Bristol

Recent reports in Bristol

found A

Sunburst acoustic guitar with blue strap found near Corn Street

I found a sunburst acoustic guitar this afternoon around 2:15pm, leaning against a brick planter outside St Nicholas Market on Corn Street in Bristol. It's a Yamaha FG-series style acoustic, with a small dent on the lower bout and a frayed blue strap still attached. The finish is a warm sunburst that fades to black at the edges, and there are a couple stickers on the headstock—one says 'Bristol Buskers' and the other is a tiny globe. It's a string instrument, and the guitar rings nicely when strummed, which makes me think someone might be really missing it. If it's yours, tell me a detail like the sticker on the headstock or the strap pattern to verify.

Bristol about 2 months ago
found A

Orange tabby cat with green collar found near Harbourside

Found this orange tabby cat this afternoon around 3:15pm by the Harbourside, near the Arnolfini. It's a short-haired cat with a white bib, a green collar, and a tiny silver bell that chimes when it moves. It has a small notch in its left ear and a fluffy tail that swishes when it’s excited. It seemed a bit skittish at first but warmed up after I crouched and spoke softly, letting it sniff my hand. I didn't see any ID, and I couldn't tell if it's chipped, so I’m hoping to reunite it with whoever it belongs to. If you recognize it, please get in touch so I can bring it to a safe spot in Bristol.

Bristol 2 months ago
found P

Black umbrella with wooden handle, leopard lining

I found a black umbrella this afternoon around 4:15pm behind Temple Meads Station on Temple Way in Bristol. It has a leopard-print lining and a small brass tag near the wooden curved handle engraved with the name 'Noah'. The canopy is a bit worn at the edges, but the ribs feel solid and it opens smoothly. I figured someone would be missing it, especially since the tag seems personal. If you know Noah or recognize this umbrella, I’d love to help get it back—let’s meet near Temple Meads or somewhere convenient in the city center.

Bristol 3 months ago
found P

Found Galaxy S21 Ultra in black case on Park Street

I found a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra this afternoon around 2:15pm on Park Street, right outside Waterstones in Bristol. It's in a black silicone case with a bright blue bumper and a tiny star sticker on the back. The screen has a crack along the top edge, and the home screen wallpaper shows a dog and family photo. I'm keeping it safe and handed it in with Waterstones staff to hold for the rightful owner while they claim it. If this is yours, you'll recognize the dog wallpaper and the blue bumper.

Bristol 3 months ago
found P

Blue Nike rugby ball found near Harbourside, Bristol

I found a blue and white Nike rugby ball this afternoon around 3:15pm along the Harbourside walk, outside the M Shed near Princes Wharf in Bristol. It's a full-size ball and seems well used, with a bit of scuffing along the seam and a small tear on the blue panel. One identifying feature is a faded white star sticker near the Nike logo, plus the number 7 stamped on the opposite panel. The ball was just sitting on the pavement, not deflated, and I figured someone might be missing it after training by the water. If it belongs to you, I'd love to get it back to its rightful owner.

Bristol 3 months ago
found P

Bosch cordless drill, orange case, found near Bristol Bridge

I found a Bosch cordless drill this afternoon around 2:45pm near the Bristol Bridge entrance to St Nicholas Market, sitting on the pavement by the bus stop on Corn Street. It’s a black and orange 18V drill in a slightly scuffed black case with a red Bosch logo. There’s a spare battery tucked in the case and a yellow tape measure slipped into the side pocket. The case has a small dent on the bottom corner and a faded blue sticker with initials that look like NG—a couple of tiny clues that might help the owner recognize it. It seems like it’s been used for a few projects recently but is in decent condition overall. If it’s yours, drop me a message with a quick description of the contents or the sticker details inside the lid so I can get it back to you.

Bristol 3 months ago