Police forces are selling off knickers and lingerie

Police forces are selling off knickers and lingerie, including stolen lacy bras and thongs, in a bid to boost the coffers. Just weeks before forces are hit by expected £2.4bn budget cuts, some have taken to punting various items - including underwear - on an auction website specially tailored for cops to sell off lost or stolen property. If the rightful owners cannot be found, or the items have not been claimed from police lost property within three months, many of the items end up on the Bumblebee auction site. Some items on sale have even been seized as evidence in criminal cases and are put up for sale at the conclusion of court proceedings if they have not been re-claimed by the owners.

Among the items up for grabs this week include 10 pairs of knickers and bras from Avon and Somerset Constabulary. Currently attracting a bid of just £5.50 from someone calling themselves 'tara17', the ad for the items - which ends at 7pm this Sunday - reads: "10x Items of Various Ladies Lingerie." It states that sizes vary from 10-16 and the lingerie comes in various colours, including 'red/black/purple'. It adds: "Most items tagged as new", but then adds: "There are a few marks on some items." A disclaimer at the bottom of the ad reads: "These good being auctioned are second-hand, unless stated otherwise.



"The police force that listed the item and Bumblebee Auctions claim no responsibility for the authenticity, commercial value or quality of any of the items sold through Bumblebee Auctions. The working condition (unless stated otherwise) of these items are not determined and it is advised that all electrical items should be tested by a competent person prior to use." Earlier this week Sussex Police auctioned off a size 8 scarlet-striped Basque for £5.50, Police Review magazine revealed on Thursday. The eBay-style bidding on the 'police property disposal' website is a hit with forces around the UK, with 18 already signed up to it including The Met, Durham, Devon & Cornwall, Thames Valley, Hertfordshire, Nottinghamshire, Gwent, Hampshire, Avon & Somerset, Wiltshire, North and South Yorkshire, Suffolk and Norfolk. When the cash comes in the forces can choose where the money is spent, - even using it to compensate victims of crime or giving it to charity.

Ken Dawes, who boss of 'evidential property' at Avon and Somerset Police, said: "Clothing might seem strange but it is relatively run of the mill for us. It is quite easy for shop lifters to grab so we get lots of small things like clothing, jewellery and perfume." He said the force raised £60,000 last year selling of lost or stolen goods, but said it would never sell 'counterfeit goods' or alcohol seized by cops. A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: "The lingerie auctioned on the site will have been placed for sale after being seized or found by police. This item is listed as 'second-hand' because it has been previously owned by someone else, but has never been worn."