Part VI

Lost and Abandoned Property

Powers of chief constable regarding rewards.
70
1
The chief constable may—
a
in the event of a claim to property being made under section 69 of this Act by a person appearing to him to be the owner of it or having right to possession of it, order the claimant to pay to the chief constable such sum as he may determine as a reward to the finder; or
b
in the event of any such property not being claimed by such a person, give that property or any part of it to the finder, or pay him such sum as he may determine as a reward.
2
In determining whether to make any reward under subsection (1) above and in determining the amount of any such reward the chief constable shall have regard to the whole circumstances including—
a
the nature and value of the property;
b
where there is a claimant to the property, the ability of the claimant to pay; and
c
the actings of the finder.
Pt. 6 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
Pt. 6 modified (5.1.2026) by Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025 (c. 31), ss. 24(15), 65(1); S.I. 2025/1318, reg. 2(e)