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

Make a reasonable effort to find the owner. Check for ID, contact details, or anything that identifies who it belongs to.
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.
Hand valuables to the authorities. Report significant or high-value finds to the police non-emergency line for Reading; they'll log it and may issue a reference.
Store it safely. Keep the item secure and unchanged while you try to return it.
Post a found listing. Add a found-item listing for Reading with enough detail for the real owner to identify it — while holding back one verifying detail.

Helpful resources for Reading

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Reading

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Found Equipment for Various Sports near GoggleWorks

Yesterday at 3:45 p.m., I was walking near the GoggleWorks Center for the Visual Arts in Reading when I found a tote bag stuffed with sports gear. Inside were two basketballs, a lacrosse stick, a tennis racket, shin guards, and a whistle. The bag had no name on it, and the area around the plaza was busy but people were rushing by. I felt a mix of curiosity and relief—the kind of relief you get when you know someone’s hard-earned stuff isn’t going to vanish. I kept it safe here so the rightful owner can claim it through the site.

near the GoggleWorks Center for the Visual Arts 3 days ago

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Found two hamsters near Reading Public Library

On Tuesday afternoon, around 4:30 p.m., I found two tiny hamsters tucked under a bench outside the Reading Public Library on 5th Street. They were in a small, dusty travel cage with a little wheel that creaked when I touched it. I set a shallow dish of water and some crumbs beside them and kept an eye on them until dark. I’m posting this here hoping the rightful owner sees it and can reclaim their pets through the site.

near Reading Public Library on 5th Street, Reading 7 days ago

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Found blue insulin pen near Reading Station

Found a blue insulin pen with a darker blue cap outside Reading Station on Station Road this morning around 9am. It’s a NovoNordisk SoloSTAR-style pen, with a white wrap-around label that’s a bit worn but legible. There’s a small black sticker on the label with the initials 'MP' written in marker. The device looks lightly used and clean, the cap fits snugly, and there are no obvious cracks. I’m posting this here because I’m hoping to reunite it with its owner; if this sounds like yours, send me a message and we’ll figure out how to return it safely.

Reading about 2 months ago

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Found paperback Pride and Prejudice near Waterstones Broad Street

I found a dog-eared paperback edition of Pride and Prejudice this afternoon around 3:15pm outside Waterstones on Broad Street, Reading. It's a cream-colored paperback with a blue bookmark sticking out between pages 72 and 73, and there's a small coffee stain on the back cover. The spine is a bit creased from lots of reading, and the cover shows a soft floral design. It feels like a well-loved copy, probably someone’s favorite. If this is yours, send me a note and we can arrange a pickup near Reading Station, easily.

Reading about 2 months ago

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Nintendo Switch with neon Joy-Cons found near The Oracle

I found a Nintendo Switch with Neon Red/Neon Blue Joy-Cons this afternoon around 2:30pm, just outside The Oracle on Broad Street in Reading. It's tucked in a black protective case, and there’s a small Mario sticker on the back with a slightly bent kickstand. The left Joy-Con has a faint purple scuff near the bumper, and the screen shows a couple of tiny scratches from daily use. I figured someone must be missing it—maybe it's a gift or a keepsake—and I really hope the owner sees this. If this sounds like yours, tell me the sticker details or the color of the Joy-Cons, and I can meet to return it.

Reading 5 months ago

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Found Anker PowerCore 10000 in red sleeve

I found a compact Anker PowerCore 10000 portable charger this afternoon around 3pm outside Reading Station, near the taxi rank along Station Road. It's in a bright red silicone sleeve with a small scratch along the top edge and a tiny sticker reading 'KM' on the back. The charger seems in good working condition and still holds a solid charge; I also noticed a white USB-C cable attached when I picked it up. If this belongs to someone, I'm glad to help get it back—I can meet near the station or outside The Oracle to hand it over.

Reading 5 months ago