Hand helds are always poor because of the aerials compare to car or house installs.
Are you sure you have it set to the right setting for UK? Should say UK on display. Select 19 and just leave it and see if you hear anyone after a while. When scanning it might miss transmissions. Here is a link to the manual if you don't have it
http://www.midlandeurope.com/downloa...n-42-multi.pdf