Two of the phones, an Iphone 5 and Iphone 6, have been been locked to Icloud

There is no way around the Activation Lock. Only the person who put the lock on can take it off:

ACTIVATION LOCK

Find My iPhone Activation Lock: Removing a device from a previous owner’s account - Apple Support

Sorry,

GB

No, Apple cannot unlock it. They will only unlock a device under extenuating circumstances (like a death), and even in that situation, they would require a death certificate. The only other exception that Apple will make is if the person can prove that they are the original owner by presenting receipts for the purchase from Apple or an AASP.

The whole purpose of the Activation Lock is to prevent stolen phones from being used. Apple is not going to bypass that protection.

Sorry,

GB

I also bought an iPhone 5s from a police auction with icloud lock, it also had a phone number to call if you found it...I called the number which was in Indonesia and spoke to a woman who confirmed that her husband was from the UK and she would get him to call me..He never did...These are the steps I have taken to try and get the phone removed from icloud lock..

1.Talked to the police....They confirmed that I now owned the phone.

2.Talked to my solicitor...who confirmed that I now owned the phone.

3.Rang apple ..Very nice on phone..Told me to go to apple store with paperwork.

4..Went to apple store with paperwork...No interest.. just told me to ring apple support.

5..Rang apple support..put through to the security team..Very nice man told me this was very unusual but could do nothing for me.

So after all that I have a iPhone which I legally own but can not use...

Icloud lock is a very good idea if you have your phone stolen....But because of apples policies it is also a great for criminals to stop there phones benefiting anyone else after there they have been caught.

Are the Police cheating the public by selling phones that cant be used?....I think so.

Are apple helping protect criminal assets?....probably not, but they are stopping it being used.

Your issue is with the police department that sold you the phone. You can have them contact Apple directly but to be honest I doubt it will accomplish anything. Your best bet: don't buy iDevices at police auctions.

I read in another similar thread that Apple will only remove the lock if you have proof that it is yours.

Ethan7988 wrote:

I read in another similar thread that Apple will only remove the lock if you have proof that it is yours.

But that proof must be in the forum of "provenance," which is like a real estate title search or to prove ownership of fine arts. Meaning a clear trail from the original purchaser, to any intermediate purchasers, and to the last purchaser. The fact that you bought it from a legitimate business is not sufficient; you must also prove that the business you bought it from also bought it legitimately, recursively back to the original owner. That is not possible in the case described here. The police should not have sold it, as it can never be used.

I agree, the police should not be selling these devices...

But if apple really care about their product and the people they sell too then maybe they should have an agreement with law enforcement, wherever that may be to have any of their products returned to them for refurbishment and a donation made to charity.