Hauls under the hammer: Bling, bags and bikes among swag for sale in police auction
From designer bags and watches to power tools, bikes and booze - hundreds of goods recovered by police are going under the hammer this week.
The 371 items have either been stolen and recovered from criminals or found by West Midlands Police.
They will all go up for auction in Dudley on Thursday, with much of the cash generated going back to the force.
Michael Kors and Hugo Boss wristwatches will also be sold, along with a Stella McCartney purse and two pairs of Ray-Ban designer sunglasses.
Dudley-based Aston's Auctioneers & Valuers is selling the items on behalf of the police.
The auction will take place at Baylies Hall on Tower Street in Dudley from midday on Thursday.
Bidders can log in online to buy lots if they cannot make it there in person.
Alcohol is also up for grabs, including several bottles of Glenfiddich, Jack Daniels and Glenmorangie whiskey.
Several bikes taken from criminals by police will be sold, along with power tools and gardening equipment.
They include a Flymo lawnmower, a Bosch electric drill and a Hitachi circular saw. Most items have no reserve.
Other items include two tennis rackets, a wheelbarrow and four waste bins.
The auction also features toiletries including hampers of Body Shop goods and L'Oreal face cream. There is then one lot which simply features a bra and beauty accessories.
Then there is cooking utensils, three bottles of Moet and Chandon Imperial champagne, cigarettes and clothing.
Playstation games are also up for sale.
In March West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said money raised from such auctions would be injected into communities through a new Active Citizens Fund.
Mr Jamieson said he hoped nearly a £1m would be spent after money was generated by assets seized from criminals.
A viewing session will be held between 9am and noon on Thursday.
That will be held in the Castle Salesroom on The Broadway in Dudley.
Sales room manager Martin Whitehead said family-run Aston's has been running similar auctions for the past few months and is hoping to run one every five weeks next year.
For people planning to buy items, photo ID and a proof of address is required for registration.
Alternatively people can save time by registering for the sale online so they are already on the auction house's system before they get there.
It will cost £5 per person to get into the sale and view the items.
The auction house is owned by father and son Phil and Chris Aston and specialises in a range of items, including antique, vintage and modern collectable toys, dolls, teddy bears and stamps.
Other items seized by police that will be sold include a number of windows and PVC frames and, in one lot, four television sets.
West Midlands Police said that every year, thousands of items are seized by police as they investigate offences such as burglary, theft and fraud.
"Despite extensive enquires, officers are sometimes unable to identify the property's rightful owners," a spokesman said.
In these circumstances, police forces can sell the items and plough the money raised back into community initiatives.
"Dudley-based auctioneers, Aston's, currently sell these items on behalf of West Midlands Police. The company regularly host sales of electrical items, household goods, tools, gardening equipment, bikes and more."
For a full catalogue of items in the auction visit www.astonsauctioneers.co.uk
