Bhubaneswar: Police have expedited the process of returning stolen articles such as motorcycles and mobile phones to owners and police stations concerned have been asked to trace them.

Deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi said the police had recovered more than 200 motorcycles and over 500 mobile phones in 2016.

"The recovered properties would be handed over to genuine owners at the earliest possible. We have asked the police stations concerned to communicate with the owners who need to show original documents to claim the recovered articles," said Bhoi.

Last November, the police had arranged a special event at Police Reserve Ground and handed 43 motorcycles, three mobile phones and three laptops to the owners.

The police said they were finding it difficult to trace the owners staying at rented accommodations.

"A number of owners who lodged the complaints have moved to new rented accommodations, making it difficult for us to trace them. Besides, some of them had also changed their mobile numbers," said a police officer.

The police said the initiative would help clear the mess of vehicles at various police stations.

Hundreds of stolen motorcycles, which were subsequently recovered, have been gathering dust at all police stations across the city.

Some of these have been lying for more than five years. The condition of most of these vehicles have deteriorated to such an extent that they can only be sold to scrap dealers. The mess of these vehicles has virtually turned police stations into junkyards. Most of the police stations face problems of space crunch due to piling up of vehicles.

"The police should put up a list of recovered articles in the stations concerned and update it on their website and social media. Besides, they should also ensure that the owners need not to travel to police stations frequently to get back their articles," said city-based lawyer Bhagabat Rath.