Imported post
I'm just checking with a mate who's a lawyer, but I'm sure that the situation is;
The torch is still the property of the owner, even if lost. If found, *reasonable* steps should be taken to return the property to the owner if it is marked as such (which it is).
Failure to return the item classes it as stolen goods, so the person who lost it should report it to the police as lost.
As for his mate, if he has an idea who has it (or someone else does) it's actually a criminal offence in aiding and abetting a criminal for one of them not to return it to the owner
I think the proper thing to do is if it's difficult to find the owner (so no postcode or owt) then hand it into the local cop shop. They usually give the owner 90 days (or maybe less) to claim it, after which time they'll give you a call and you can keep it.
I'd try to persuade him to return it to the owner.
I'm just checking with a mate who's a lawyer, but I'm sure that the situation is;
The torch is still the property of the owner, even if lost. If found, *reasonable* steps should be taken to return the property to the owner if it is marked as such (which it is).
Failure to return the item classes it as stolen goods, so the person who lost it should report it to the police as lost.
As for his mate, if he has an idea who has it (or someone else does) it's actually a criminal offence in aiding and abetting a criminal for one of them not to return it to the owner
I think the proper thing to do is if it's difficult to find the owner (so no postcode or owt) then hand it into the local cop shop. They usually give the owner 90 days (or maybe less) to claim it, after which time they'll give you a call and you can keep it.
I'd try to persuade him to return it to the owner.