Holiday decorations lost in town centre
Description
I was tidying up the Essex town centre's Christmas display outside the library on High Street around 5:45 p.m. on Sunday when a gust whipped through and I realized I had lost the box of decorations. The lights toppled and tangled on a railing, and a shiny foil star rolled toward the gutter by the shopfronts. Those ornaments—the baubles, tinsel, and a battered reindeer—mean a lot to me, and losing them felt like letting holiday magic slip away. I’m hoping whoever picked them up looked after them; these decorations carry years of family memories, and I’d be grateful to see them returned through the site.
Approximate last-seen location
Pin shows an approximate area, not the exact spot — to protect privacy.
How to safely get your item back
A short checklist to protect you and the item during the handoff.
Verify the finder before meeting
- Ask them to describe a detail not shown in your listing, such as an engraving, scratch, or contents.
- Request a clear photo of the item from an angle you did not post.
- Do not pay any release, shipping, or storage fee.
- Do not share your full address until you have verified them.
Meet in a safe, public place
- Police stations, café entrances, transport hubs, and shop foyers all work.
- Meet during daylight hours where there is CCTV and foot traffic.
- Avoid private homes, car parks at night, or isolated locations.
Bring someone with you
- Tell a friend or family member where you are meeting and when.
- Share your live location with them during the handoff.
- For high-value items, consider contacting your local police station for advice first.
Keep communication on lostandfound.io
- Use the in-app message thread so there is a record if something goes wrong.
- Do not move to WhatsApp, SMS, or email until you have exchanged a verifying detail.
- Never share bank details, government ID numbers, or copies of your ID.