Sources

Legislation and prosecution guidance

• Theft Act 1968, section 2 (legislation.gov.uk)
  The honesty test, including the belief that the owner cannot be discovered by taking reasonable steps.
• Theft Act 1968, section 3 (legislation.gov.uk)
  Appropriation can include later keeping or dealing with property as an owner.
• CPS: Theft Act offences
  The Crown Prosecution Service summary of the dishonesty provisions.
• Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, section 67
  A finder's duty to take care and to deliver or report the property.
• Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, section 68
  The chief constable's functions and the two-month period.
• Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, section 70
  Discretionary rewards to finders.

Police guidance and policy

• PSNI: Found property
  Northern Ireland: reasonable efforts, cash to a station, charity donation, thresholds for contacting police.
• Ask the Police: I have found some property, what do I do?
  Lost property is not the police's responsibility; collection form; 28 days as a common period.
• Ask the Police: Claiming found property
  Most forces accept only certain found items, including significant cash.
• West Mercia Police: seized, lost and found property policy
  No general duty to hand in; encouragement to retain; unclaimed cash to the Police Property Act Fund.
• Warwickshire Police: seized, found and lost property policy
  The same position as West Mercia in a matching policy.

Explainers and official advice

• BBC News: What do you do if you find £20?
  An academic lawyer explains why "reasonable steps" depends on where something is found.
• Citizens Advice Scotland: If you find treasure or lost goods
  Plain-English summary of the two-month point in Scotland.
• GOV.UK: Legal advice at the police station
  The right to free legal advice if you are arrested or questioned.
• Law Society: Find a Solicitor
  Directory for locating a solicitor.
• Citizens Advice
  General information on rights and where to get help.

Online legal Q&A service (partner)

• Rocket Lawyer UK: Ask a lawyer
  Areas covered and not covered, the 15-minute consultation, hourly rate and fair-use wording.
• Rocket Lawyer UK: Pricing
  Membership price and the free 7-day trial wording.

Case law referred to

• Parker v British Airways Board [1982] QB 1004 (Court of Appeal): rights of finders and of occupiers of premises.
• Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Co [1893] 1 QB 256 (Court of Appeal): a public offer that can become binding when someone acts on it.

Police policies and partner pages can change. If you spot a difference between a source and what we say, please tell us.