Explanatory Notes

Postal Services Act 2000

2000 CHAPTER 26

28 July 2000

Commentary on Sections

Part V Offences in Relation to Postal Services

Section 84: Interfering with the mail: general

127.Section 84(1) provides for it to be an offence if persons intentionally delay or open postal packets without reasonable excuse. It amalgamates the content of offences previously included in the Post Office Act 1953.

128.Subsection (3) makes it an offence for a person, intending to act to a person’s detriment and without reasonable excuse, to open a postal packet which he knows or suspects has been incorrectly delivered to him.

129.Subsections (2) and (4) specify a number of cases that are not to be regarded as offences under the section.