Part VI

Lost and Abandoned Property

Functions of chief constable.
68
1
This section applies to any property which has been delivered or the finding of which has been reported to a constable under section 67 of this Act, or which has been found by a constable.
2
The chief constable shall make such arrangements as he considers appropriate for the care and custody of the property.
3
The chief constable shall take reasonable steps to ascertain the identity of the owner or person having right to the possession of the property and to notify him where it can be collected.
4
The chief constable may, after the expiry of a period of 2 months from the date on which the property was delivered or its finding reported to a constable under section 67 of this Act, having regard to the whole circumstances including the nature and value of the property and the actings of the finder, offer it to the finder under section 70(1)(b) of this Act or, if in his opinion so to offer it would be inappropriate, may sell it or, if in his opinion it would be both inappropriate so to offer it and impracticable to sell it, may dispose of it or make arrangements for its disposal otherwise as he thinks fit; but he shall not do any of these things before the expiry of that period other than by returning it to the claimant under section 69 of this Act or by disposing of it under subsection (5) below.
5
If the property cannot, in the opinion of the chief constable, be safely or conveniently kept for the period mentioned in subsection (4) above he may dispose of it or arrange for its disposal within that period in such manner as he thinks fit.
6
The chief constable shall keep a record of particulars connected with the property and shall retain the record so kept for a period of one year from the date on which the property is disposed of under the provisions of this Part of this Act.
Pt. VI (ss. 67–79) extended with modifications by Animals (Scotland) Act 1987 (c. 9, SIF 4:6), s. 3(2)
Act partly in force at Royal Assent see s. 137(2); Act wholly in force at 1. 1. 1985 see S.I. 1983/201 as amended by S.I. 1984/573 and 744.
Act (except s. 16 which applies to England and Wales) applies to Scotland only see s. 137(9).
Act excluded (19. 12. 1991) by City of Edinburgh District Council Order Confirmation Act (c. xix), ss. 1, 12(2), Sch. Pt. V