IN this month’s column I would like to remind everyone of the importance of keeping your passport secure.

Many people are heading off on their holidays at the moment and losing your passport could put an end to your time away.

There have been a few incidents recently where lost passports have been recovered by the police but they have had to be returned to the passport office.

The owners have become extremely upset as they have had to pay for a new one and cannot understand why they can’t have their original passport back.

The fact of the matter is that passports remain the property of HM Government and in order to maintain the integrity of the British passport, found passports must be returned to UK Passport Services (UKPS) to be recorded as ‘recovered’ and then destroyed.

Details of stolen passports are also sent to UKPS to be recorded, as they share lost and stolen passport data with other law enforcement agencies, such as Interpol.

The rules state that under NO circumstances must a passport handed in to the police as lost and found or a passport found by an officer during the course of their duties, that has been outside the control of the genuine holder, be returned to the rightful holder.

NO attempt should be made by officers to try and trace the genuine holder to try and return the passport.

With this in mind, please be sure to keep your home safe during the warm weather.

Burglars have been known to take paperwork and documents so they can steal your identity rather than taking jewellery or electrical items.

We all like to leave windows or doors open, but please think before you do so.

Could someone sneak in without you knowing? Don’t be tempted to leave downstairs and accessible upstairs windows open in the hot weather when you are not in the room or overnight and please keep doors locked.

Remember, if you see anyone acting suspiciously please report it to us as soon as possible on 101.

INSPECTOR PAUL CROWLEY, KIDDERMINSTER POLICE