Do the Police have to return Cash found during a search?

[MissFM]

Re: Do the Police have to return Cash found during a search?

The offence had nothing to do with drugs or stolen property, the money had been there a long time as it was in notes no longer in circulation and the age of the envelopes it was found in which is what satisfied the police it was nothing to do with the case.

My grandfather did not trust banks, and no one in the family including my grandmother knew or suspected he had hidden money in the shed. It was secured with several locks and had an alarm system. We had not been able to find the keys after his death which was very sudden. They had only been found 2-3 months before the police search when we took down some old cupboards.

The money was from the sale of a house he inherited a year or two before his death. We had always thought there should have been more money but had assumed he had spent it.

Poppy - huge apologies that the law of unintended consequences has operated here in that quoting your OP back with the highlighted sentence was intended to show that the provenance of the cash was not in question (just whether or not the police should return it, which BB has answered). Unfortunately, when you "reply with quote" you have to type at least 4 characters below and I couldn't think of anything worthwhile to say, hence the 4 question marks, which seem to have stimulated further flights of comic imagination.

This whole business must have been absolutely awful for you - I'm so sorry - and I doubt that many on this site would think it eccentric not to trust banks.

[leclerc]

Re: Do the Police have to return Cash found during a search?

Poppy - huge apologies that the law of unintended consequences has operated here in that quoting your OP back with the highlighted sentence was intended to show that the provenance of the cash was not in question (just whether or not the police should return it, which BB has answered). Unfortunately, when you "reply with quote" you have to type at least 4 characters below and I couldn't think of anything worthwhile to say, hence the 4 question marks, which seem to have stimulated further flights of comic imagination.

This must have been absolutely awful for you - I'm so sorry - and I doubt that many on this site would think it eccentric not to trust banks.

I'd assumed you were wondering why some of them were talking about crimes when clearly by using their eyes they would have spotted that the money was nothing to do with the crimes. Do I have to post up the number for specsavers?

[Inca]

Re: Do the Police have to return Cash found during a search?

I didn't mean eccentric in an offensive way at all,,quite the opposite!,,Many many people mistrust banks (and who can blame them?).

[Eloise01]

Re: Do the Police have to return Cash found during a search?

I doubt that many on this site would think it eccentric not to trust banks.

There is a huge difference between not trusting a bank or not taking what they tell you for granted, and stuffing your life savings in the toolshed. I think most people would think the former sensible and the latter just a little eccentric. There is nothing wrong with being eccentric, but neither does that mean it leads to sensible choices. I don't trust banks either, but I don't keep a few grand stashed in the shed because I trust other people even less :tinysmile_grin_t:

[Salmon Man]

Re: Do the Police have to return Cash found during a search?

I'd assumed you were wondering why some of them were talking about crimes when clearly by using their eyes they would have spotted that the money was nothing to do with the crimes. Do I have to post up the number for specsavers?

There was no question of anyone posting here having the correct information (at first) to be in any position to determine that "the money was nothing to do with the crimes". None of us knew that the cash was found sealed in an old envelope where simple carbon dating could rule it out of any current criminality. The fact that the Police have not issued a receipt for the actual amount of cash seized tells us there's possibly (in the cops' een) something fishy about it, and on the face of it it IS fishy. Someone at the property arrested for a serious crime, the house turned over with a warrant, and a large amount of cash 'recovered'.

Yes, some of the comments were a little judgmental and premature but we weren't given much to go on, and you would have to admit the OP leaves the story well and truly open for poetic license. LOL

[enquirer]

Re: Do the Police have to return Cash found during a search?

Follow the advance given by Bluebottle, and do it quickly. I have a strong feeling that the laptop, the X-Box and the cash (it sounds like a large sum, and good even though it will need to be exchanged), may go walkies.

[bluebottle]

Re: Do the Police have to return Cash found during a search?

You don't mention what crime was committed but it may well end up with the authorities pursuing the cash under Proceeds of Crime especially as it appears that you knew nothing about the existence of the cash.

To say that the Police MUST return this cash seems a tad over confident with the information we have been given.

Quite frankly, I find it suspicious that anyone (older who don't trust/like using banks) hides large amounts of cash in insecure places such as an outdoor shed. More likely to have been hidden in the house.

I suspect there's more to the money in the shed.

The onus is on the police to show that a crime has been committed and that the money can be linked to that crime. If not, retaining it is dodgy. As said above, in the event of doubt, direction must be sought from a judge. The police cannot make a decision unilaterally. The Proceeds of Crime Act is aimed, mainly, at those involved in organised crime, and there has to be a conviction first or proof of a link between the defendant, crime and money/property before a POCA Order can be applied for and granted.

[bluebottle]

Re: Do the Police have to return Cash found during a search?

That's simple enough - just mist the notes with ninhydrin (link) in acetone to develop the fingerprints.

Have you been a SOCO at any time, CC? I can remember the SOCO using ninhydrin on paperwork and banknotes when I was a CID officer.

[Inca]

Re: Do the Police have to return Cash found during a search?

Probably would have been different advice if we had all known it was ''old money'' clearly untouched for many a year and totally unconnected with the 'crime'
OP just needs to get her own stuff back (xbox etc).

[leclerc]

Re: Do the Police have to return Cash found during a search?

There was no question of anyone posting here having the correct information (at first) to be in any position to determine that "the money was nothing to do with the crimes". None of us knew that the cash was found sealed in an old envelope where simple carbon dating could rule it out of any current criminality. The fact that the Police have not issued a receipt for the actual amount of cash seized tells us there's possibly (in the cops' een) something fishy about it, and on the face of it it IS fishy. Someone at the property arrested for a serious crime, the house turned over with a warrant, and a large amount of cash 'recovered'.

Yes, some of the comments were a little judgmental and premature but we weren't given much to go on, and you would have to admit the OP leaves the story well and truly open for poetic license. LOL

Nope, the first post states in paragraph 3 that the police were satisfied after investigations that the money was not the suspect's that they had arrested. The only issue was the return of the money. Miss FM did highlight that so clearly they could read.

The answer to the question is Yes they should return the money. the why and wherefore are a waste of time since the person who did conceal the money is dead.

[wales01man]

Re: Do the Police have to return Cash found during a search?

We are told the police say the money belonged to the grandfather that it was proceeds from the sale of a house?and the notes are old and out of circulation?
Questions
Would
d have thought police return the money as it no a proceed of crime,have they explained in writing why they are keeping it
money from sale of house,didnt think solicitors deal in cash on house sales?and their would be proof he sold a house
Money was old and not legal tender?when was house sold has a note been withdrawn from circulation since then??
Some proof here to give to police has the OP produced it ?

[CleverClogs]

Re: Do the Police have to return Cash found during a search?

None of us knew that the cash was found sealed in an old envelope where simple carbon dating could rule it out of any current criminality.

No - C14 dating would tell one next to nothing.

Even if it was sufficiently precise to date the envelope to a single year (it isn't) all one could tell from that is that the envelope had not existed before then; it would not be possible to determine when the envelope was sealed.

[CleverClogs]

Re: Do the Police have to return Cash found during a search?

Have you been a SOCO at any time, CC? I can remember the SOCO using ninhydrin on paperwork and banknotes when I was a CID officer.

Never been a SOCO - but have studied elementary biochemistry.

[bluebottle]

Re: Do the Police have to return Cash found during a search?

Never been a SOCO - but have studied elementary biochemistry.

Question answered. Thanks, CC.

[poppy79]

Re: Do the Police have to return Cash found during a search?

Thank you for your help.

I have had an email from the police. My property etc will be returned when my ex lodger has been sentenced. They have given me the name and contact details of the officer in charge of the case who will arrange the return.