Lost Property in London

Losing something in London is stressful but the recovery systems are better than in most cities. Here's the practical guide to what to do.

TfL Lost Property

Items left on the Tube, bus, Overground, DLR or Elizabeth line go to the TfL Lost Property Office at 200 Baker Street (near Baker Street station) — open Monday to Friday 8:30am–4pm. You can also report lost items online at tfl.gov.uk/lost-property. Items are typically held for three months. A small handling fee applies for collecting recovered items.

Taxis

For black cabs: TfL Lost Property also handles black cab property. For Uber and other app-based services: use the in-app lost item feature to contact the driver directly — this is the fastest route.

Stolen Items

Report theft to the police at 101 (non-emergency) or in person at any police station. Get a crime reference number — essential for insurance claims. For phone theft specifically: contact your network provider immediately to suspend the SIM, and use Find My (Apple) or Google Find My Device remotely to lock or erase the device.

Passports

Contact your country's embassy or consulate in London immediately. Most issue emergency travel documents within 24–48 hours for genuine emergencies. Keep a photo of your passport in cloud storage separately from the physical document.

Tips

• Report lost items on TfL transport online at tfl.gov.uk — faster than going in person.
• Always get a crime reference number for stolen items — you'll need it for insurance.
• Store a photo of your passport, insurance documents and emergency numbers in cloud storage before you travel.