Lost something at Brighton Station? Here’s what to do

The Brighton Station is more than just a transport hub; it acts as a grand Victorian landmark and the center of Brighton’s travel network. Situated at the heart of the city, this beautiful station serves as the southernmost point of the Brighton Main Line, welcoming visitors and residents alike. Originally opened to the public in 1841, the station has a unique architectural vibe, and it has continued to play a pivotal role in the city’s growth over the years.

Today, the Brighton Station houses trains operated by Southern Railway, Thameslink, and Great Western Railway, connecting Brighton to neighboring cities such as London, Gatwick Airport, and various coastal towns like Eastbourne, Portsmouth, and Southampton. Inside the station, passengers get access to a variety of facilities, such as ticket offices and machines, along with a generous selection of shops and cafes selling refreshments and last-minute travel essentials. Accessibility features are also provided to users who have limited mobility.

Having said that, losing your precious belongings while traveling can sometimes be painful, whether it is a bag or an electronic gadget such as a mobile phone or a laptop. And to ensure you get back your lost property in one piece, we have created this thorough guide.

Different Ways to Report Your Lost Item

Since the Brighton Station does not possess a centralized department for reporting lost and found requests, all communication must be directed to the specific transportation service provider you traveled with. These include the Southern Railway, Thameslink, and Great Western Railway.

You can report your lost item over the phone, in person, or online, based on your preference. And once you file your report with any of the above-mentioned service providers, be sure to keep in touch with the authorities for regular updates regarding the search process. Additionally, some service providers may charge a handling fee associated with retrieving lost items.

The reporting process can be initiated by following either one of the processes explained below.

How to Report Through a Personal Visit

If you are looking to file your lost and found report in person, then be sure to follow the listed steps below.

1. Head over to the official address of your service provider: Southern Railway (managed by Excess Baggage Company) lost property office at London Victoria station (available from 9AM to 5PM on weekdays); Great Western Railway office at Bristol Temple Meads station (available from Monday to Friday between 8AM and 6PM, and on Saturdays between 9:30AM and 6:30PM); or Thameslink office at City Thameslink station (Ludgate End) from 8AM to 3PM only on weekdays.
2. After reaching either of the aforementioned office locations, proceed to file a lost-and-found report by providing your name and contact details.
3. Once done, you will be required to state your travel details, date and time of your travel (or when the item was lost), your travel route, train or station details, the exact or approximate area where your item was last seen, etc.
4. Lastly, provide details regarding your lost item, such as its color and size, make and model, type or category, brand name (if applicable), and its unique features. You can also prove your ownership by showcasing a photo of the item or its receipt.

After completing the filing process, wait for a follow-up response from the respective authorities in due time.

How to Report Over the Phone

All of the listed service providers offer reporting lost items over the phone, which you can do through the steps mentioned as follows:.

1. Proceed to make a phone call to your respective service provider: Southern Railway at 03451 27 29 20 (available between 7AM and 8PM every day); Great Western Railway at 03457 000 125 (available between 6AM and 11PM every day); or Thameslink at 0345 026 4700 (available between 7AM and 8PM every day).
2. While on-call, carefully listen to the pre-recorded prompts and options, and then select the designated path to file a lost and found report.
3. Once connected to a customer care executive, introduce yourself with your name, address, and contact details. Next, be prepared to give a comprehensive description of the lost item. Mention the brand, model (if applicable), color, item’s size (dimensions or clothing size), and any other identification tags.
4. After that, provide your travel information to assist the service provider in locating your lost item. Specify your departure and arrival stations, locations, or terminals, the train number(s) you traveled in, the estimated date and time when you lost the item, including the specific location, and any other additional data.

After gathering all the information, the customer service representative will summarize the details for verification and will ask you to wait for an official response from the company’s lost and found department.

How to Report on Web

If you want to report your lost property online without calling or meeting anyone, then the below-mentioned steps should be your guideline to follow.

1. Visit the official reporting websites of Southern Railway, Thameslink, or Great Western Railway.
2. On the landing pages of each of the aforementioned service providers, you will be asked to fill out a web form.
3. Start by providing your name, address, email ID, and phone number. After that, provide your travel information, such as your arrival and departure stations, the train number(s), the date and time of your travel (when the item was lost), and any other necessary information as required.
4. Once done, you will be required to state your lost item, such as its type or category, make and model, color and shape, brand name, and other identifying features.

After submitting your report online, you now have to wait for an official response from the service provider in the upcoming days or weeks.