Criminals' loot goes under the hammer at West Midlands Police auction

A total of 68 items were sold to buyers at Aston's Auctioneers in Dudley, generating a total of £5,845 in sales.

Chris Aston, who owns the auctioneers, said the items up for sale were either: lost and found, stolen and recovered, or formed parts of criminal investigations.

The most expensive item that went under the hammer was a Lapierre X-Control bike - a cross-country and marathon bike - which sold for £550.

Next up was a Specialized S-Works mountain bike, which fetched £500.

In third place was a Giant Reign Full Suspension mountain bike, which sold for £380.

Each item was sold in the 'West Midlands Police Bike Auction' which took place on Monday (05).

Aston Auctioneer's is the officer auctioneer for West Midlands Police.

Meanwhile, in the 'Jewellery, Watches, Coins and Vintage and Modern Fashion', which took place on Tuesday (06), the most expensive item that was sold was a nine carat gold ring which sold for £320.

A pair of orange Rayban Aviator glasses were sold for £45, while a Hugo Boss men's polo t-shirt, valued at £89, sold for £25.

Chris said: "We are really pleased with the way the auctions have gone. I thought the prices were really good.

"It is really exciting for us because the police items have no reserves which means they have no minimum prices they must be sold for."

In the Monday auction, the sales made £3,920m while the Tuesday auction made £1,925.

Buyers at the auction ranged where either present on the day or bought items online.

Aston's is gearing up for its August auction where a variety of West Midlands Police items, under the category 'general and commercial' will go up for sale.

The auction will be taking place on August 15 at 11am.

The items that Aston's sells from police are those that are stolen and recovered good s from crimes, lost and found property and items seized under the Proceeds Of Crime Act.