We all love to pick up things for free, so we should think twice about picking up cash we find on the sidewalk.
Most of us might be tempted to slip at least notes into our pockets. I hope no one will notice.
And you might think it's a case of "the finder is the keeper, the loser is the cryer".
However,Stephensons Solicitorspartner Martin Pizzey said he may have committed a crime called "theft by discovery." .
You must prove "dishonest" in order to claim that you stole what you found (such as cash).
The Theft Act 1968 states that a person cannot be considered dishonest if he takes "reasonable means" to determine the owner of property (cash). increase.
This may mean handing over a note at thenearest police station.
Martin said: "Tell the officer on duty your name, when and where you found it, and who you don't know.
"Request receipt. And if no one comes to claim it within four weeks, could you please come and pick it up?" In some cases, it may also be protected by laws.
He added: Kudos for the little loose change they dropped.
``However, people who drop something of greater value from their pockets or purses are not considered to have thrown it away and are more likely to go back and look for it. That's why sex is in the scale.
"Whoever picks it up needs to raise the issue. The higher the value, the less likely it is to be thrown away, but the more dangerous it is." 39}
Martin said it is always wise to exercise caution when finding and submitting notes. This is especially truewhere the owner is identifiable, such as a shop, restaurant or bar.
What about old money and treasure?
The laws are different when it comes to antiques, and there are all sorts of regulations about what must be done with important finds.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Treasures Act 1996 requires that gold or silver finds older than 300 years old be claimed as crowns and returned within 14 days. stipulated to be reported.
If your find falls into this category, it will be evaluated independently and the museum has the option of raising funds to acquire the find, and that money will be split between the finder and the landlord. is evenly divided by .
If you hand over a large amount of money to the police, you should not expect it to be returned without a claimant.
May become property of public money if related to criminal activity.
