they aren’t known to be helpful. I had a lost passport to replace (id left it at LHR passport control whith the BF handing it on to the passport office) a few years ago, as I’d had a previous passport stolen (and recovered by the police- for which the thief did time), I applied for a one week passport, travelling up to Liverpool as the next available appointment, within a week I got an letter saying I needed to attend a further appointment as 3 passports had been lost/stolen/damaged (I of each) and after this I was issued with a one year passport only, which was renewed to a 10 year passport 4 months laterz

My MP spoke to the passport office about this and was told it was for security, that easy excuse that is clearly nonscence in my case, it was a way to make money with two passport applications within 6 months = 2 application fees and no increase in security. Punishment for those who’ve lost a passport perhaps.