LONDON TAXI LOST PROPERTY: Best ways to find your lost item

Losing property in a taxi can be a frustrating and stressful experience, especially if the lost item is valuable or sentimental. However, it's important to remember not all is literally lost and that there are steps you can take to increase your chances of recovering your lost property.

Here's a guide on how to get back property lost in a London taxi:

Act quickly. If you realise that you've left something behind in a taxi, it's important to act quickly. If you booked the taxi via an app operator, get in contact with them as soon as possible. They in turn should contact the driver on your behalf to ask the cabbie to search the back cabin.

If you paid by card then check your receipt as it’s likely to contain details of your driver. There should also be a phone number for the card payment solution provider to call. Provide them with the number that references the taxi driver and they also should be able to enquire with the driver on your behalf.

It’s worth remembering that card payment solution providers and booking operators will not give you direct phone numbers or other personal information due to GDPR requirements.

If you paid by cash then it’s time to head online. There are several online resources where you can report a lost item, such as Transport for London (TfL) lost property office.

Hundreds of items found in black cabs are handed into TfL lost property each year. In 2021-22 financial year 28.7% of items were claimed back. This figure is remarkably high when looking at other modes of transport, for example, just 5.9% of items found on London buses are reunited with their owners.

TfL store items for a maximum of three months. If you have lost something earlier than this, it may no longer be available.

Some taxi drivers might also hand the lost item into the local police station. It’s worth checking police stations in the area that the item went missing.

Finally, it's important to remember that the chances of recovering your lost item may vary depending on the circumstances. It may depend on the honesty of the next passenger that enters the taxi for example.

Lots of items make their way back to their rightful owners so do give it a go and good luck!