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Old 10-03-2011, 12:34 PM   #21
HarryT
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron. View Post
Ever see those people at the beach with metal detectors looking for rings, watches etc ? are they considered thieves ?
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.
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