When I last renewed my passport, I had to go up to the passport office to renew (I know lack of organisation - noticed the renewal date on passport at last minute - 2 days before holiday).
Anyway, amazed at the number of people queueing for passports. Obviously very busy all the time as the ticket system and porter allowing so many through at a time - then another queue to have security search, then another queue upstairs to be called to a desk...
Well I happily finally walked off with my new passport, after handing in my form, photos and old passport at the desk. The old passport is sent back to you, you don't take it off with you on the day.
Three/four weeks later daily post contained a plastic bag from the post office, with a torn brown envelope inside (well, slit down one side)- apologising for loss of the item enclosed - my old passport. The torn, brown envelope which had HMSO printed on it, had the shape of the passport, where someone had pressed over the envelope to feel the shape of the inside.
So - who do you complain to? Phoned the Passport Office stating that it was obviously someone who was aware of the post leaving the office who was checking for passports to steal and it needed investigation. They said it was not their problem - once it leaves the office it is a Post Office matter. Phoned the Post Office and explained the situation - it was not their problem as damaged post is a daily occurrence and important documents should be sent recorded delivery. I tried to explain that this was a deliberate theft, not a 'wear and tear' torn envelope, but a slit envelope, with the shape of the old passport still visible, where it had been pressed and felt still clear to see on the envelope - not interested - not their problem - report to Passport Office.
So I then decide to contact the police, saying this is definitely theft and a scam where possible many other passports could have gone the same way. Not their problem - the Post Office or the Passport Office need to investigate and let the police know if they consider it something that needs investigating. Needless to say - I got back to the Passport Office and the Post Office and neither would accept responsibility - passing it over to each other.
What a sham. Considering I was in the Passport Office and I could have taken my old passport back - saving postage anyway. So now there are probably 300+ nelsys around the country with my ID. Still no need to worry - there are probably 30000 more going around with false id.
A shambles - the country is going to the dogs sadly.Everything is fine as long as you keep on the right track - motoring, health etc.. If something goes adrift - you are really in unknown territory - nobody wants to be accountable and accept responsibility. By the way for my underground journey to the Passport Office and the hefty extra charges for getting it in person and the half day to collect it - it ended up costing a pretty penny. Never make that mistake again - although with the hundred of nelsys around now - I can probably get by quite easily
