Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron.
Ever see those people at the beach with metal detectors looking for rings, watches etc ? are they considered thieves ?
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The legal situation in the UK is this:
If you find goods that appear to be lost, then you can keep the goods as long as:-
- you did not find the goods dishonestly or while trespassing
- you take care of the goods
- you did not find the goods on your employers’ property
- the goods are lost, and not uncollected or abandoned, stolen or treasure
- you have taken reasonable steps to find the owner of the goods, for example, left them to be claimed at a police station for a reasonable length of time
- the goods were found not attached to anything on premises or land where the occupier does not exercise much control, for example, an air terminal lounge, public part of a shop, or recreation ground.
It's that requirement to "take reasonable steps to find the owner of the goods" bit that the issue. That would normally mean handing it in at a police station. If the owner hasn't claimed it within 6 weeks, it's yours to keep and the owner has no subsequent legal claim on it.