What Happens If I Find Money That Isn’t Mine?
Finding money or valuable property in a public place can leave you wondering what...- 30 July 2026
Posted: 30 July 2026
Finding money or valuable property in a public place can leave you wondering what you should do next. While it may be tempting to keep what you’ve found, the law is not always on your side.
Many people assume that “finders’ keepers” applies, but under UK law this is not necessarily the case. If you keep money or property that belongs to someone else without taking reasonable steps to return it, you could be committing a criminal offence.
This guide explains what you should do if you find money or lost property, when you may be entitled to keep it, and how the law on theft applies.
If you find money or other property in a public place and do not know who it belongs to, you should hand it to your local police station as soon as possible.
When you hand the property in, a police officer will:
Taking these steps demonstrates that you are acting honestly and making reasonable efforts to return the property to its rightful owner.
Not immediately.
If the owner cannot be identified or does not come forward to claim the property, you may be entitled to claim it after a period of time. This is often around six weeks, although procedures can vary depending on the police force and the circumstances.
Before assuming you are entitled to keep any property, you should always check with the police force holding the item.
Potentially, yes.
If you find money or property belonging to someone else and decide to keep it without making any attempt to return it, your actions could amount to theft under Section 1 of the Theft Act 1968.
A person commits theft if they:
“Dishonestly appropriate property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it.”
Whether an offence has been committed will always depend on the circumstances, including what steps were taken to identify or locate the owner.
To prove theft, the prosecution must establish several elements.
This means taking control or assuming ownership of money or property that belongs to someone else.
Dishonesty may arise where a person keeps money or property knowing it belongs to another person and makes no reasonable attempt to return it.
If you decide to keep the money or property as your own without attempting to find the owner, this may demonstrate an intention to permanently deprive them of it.
Not knowing who owns the money does not automatically mean you can keep it.
If there is no obvious way of identifying the owner, you should still hand the property to the police or take reasonable steps to report it.
Simply putting the money in your pocket and walking away could result in allegations of theft.
What happens if I keep money I found?
If you deliberately keep money belonging to someone else without attempting to return it, you could be investigated for theft under the Theft Act 1968.
How long do the police keep found property?
Police procedures vary, but if the owner does not come forward, you may be able to claim the property after a period. You should check with the police force dealing with the item.
Can I be prosecuted for keeping lost property?
Yes. Depending on the circumstances, keeping lost property without making reasonable efforts to return it may amount to theft.
If you are being investigated for theft or have questions about your legal rights after finding money or property, obtaining specialist legal advice as early as possible is important.
Our experienced Criminal Defence solicitors can advise you on your rights and represent you throughout a police investigation. To speak to our team, call 01245 493959 or send an email.
- 30 July 2026
- 30 July 2026
- 21 July 2026
