Lost property office in Millau: paragliders, bicycles, and tears of joy…

Le patron de la police municipale devant le stock de deux-roues qui, faute de propriétaire, feront bientôt la joie d’associations caritatives. AD

Derrière le guichet, Valérie et Nathalie orchestrent ce service qui fait toujours la preuve de son utilité.

“Ne vous attendez pas à des trésors ni à des lingots d’or”, jokes Jean Fabre, who has been head of the Millau municipal police for two years. “More like keys, glasses, gloves, sometimes a phone… and, more surprisingly, a paraglider or dozens of bikes.”

This is the “loot” collected each year by the Millau lost property service. Several hundred kind-hearted locals drop off various lost items there: a wallet here, a hat there, or even an abandoned bicycle.

A service that is in demand, but too often forgotten

Behind the counter, Valérie and Nathalie orchestrate this service that is still in high demand. “There are many phone calls: people hoping to find their lost belongings“, explains Valérie. The objects found follow a surprising seasonal pattern, notes the duo.

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“In winter, it's mostly gloves and scarves. In summer, we see parasols and goggles arrive, sometimes forgotten near the water. During the Natural Games, sports equipment predominates: gloves, hats, and even, once, a paraglider!” adds Nathalie. And every Friday, market day, the department's safe fills up with purses, leather gloves and scarves lost in the hustle and bustle of the stalls.

A little-known service

Despite everything, few objects are returned to their owners. “People no longer have the reflex to come and look for them, it's a shame”, regrets Jean Fabre. “For car keys, insurance now covers replacements. Identity papers, bank cards ? Ditto, often quickly redone.”And for bikes ? “Owners often think it's a theft and don't look any further.”

A lack of awareness that increases the police station's already substantial stock. After a certain period of time, which varies depending on the nature, these objects are therefore offered to charities, except for identity papers and health cards, which are returned to the relevant organizations.

A gesture of solidarity for children

“Until now, we have entrusted unclaimed phones and tablets to recycling operators,” specifies Jean Fabre. “But we changed to work with an association that supports children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. It's a small action that makes sense.“

A touching reunion

Even if it remains rare, some stories have a happy ending. “We sometimes conduct a small investigation to find the owners. But with the widespread use of mobile phones, blank pages are no longer useful to us”, explains Nathalie. When the effort pays off, the reunions can sometimes be moving: “Smiles, hugs, and even tears of happiness”, she says. These moments of joy are as many rewards for this little-known, but indispensable service.