SUFFOLK Constabulary is to roll out its use of a police auction website allowing forces to dispose of lost or stolen property across the county in the New Year, it has been revealed.

SUFFOLK Constabulary is to roll out its use of a police auction website allowing forces to dispose of lost or stolen property across the county in the New Year, it has been revealed.

The national Bumblebee auction website was created three years ago as a way of enabling police forces to sell unclaimed items to a wider market and generate extra cash that can be ploughed back into policing.

Suffolk police has been piloting the system in the western area of the county during the past two months but aims to adopt it countywide early next year.

The force usually receives an income of between £17,000 and £20,000 annually through the sale of unclaimed items through auction houses. This is reinvested in community projects.

But forces such as Sussex, Devon and Cornwall are generating between £50,000 and £60,000 thanks to signing up to the Bumblebee auction system.

This is because items have a better chance of selling for their true market value online as there is a wider audience.

Property sold includes mountain bikes, antiques, luggage, toys and games, mobile phones, computer equipment, jewellery and sports equipment.