New lost and found system sees more items returned

Backpacks, mobile phones and earphones are just some of the items which have been reunited with their owners

Trumpets, church keys and an insulin pen were among the almost 5,000 lost items successfully returned to their owners as part of a train company's new lost and found scheme.

More than 19,000 belongings were retrieved by Southeastern from trains and stations within the year and nearly 25% were reunited with owners - up from 10% last year.

The most "forgetful" areas include London (5,762 items), Tonbridge/Hastings (3,672 items) and Ramsgate (2,231 items), according to the train service.

Using unique QR codes to tag and track lost items, Southeastern's lost property lead Aaron Cox said the system is "quicker, more secure and easier to use".

The most commonly mislaid items were backpacks (2,056), mobile phones (1,745) and earphones (1,136), according to Southeastern data.

Other returned items have included an antique glass owl, tents and a snooker cue.

The digital lost and found scheme launched in April 2024, replacing a paper system that was previously in place.