United Kingdom Law

ABBAFAN · 04-17-12, 11:42 AM

Is it illegal to open someone elses mail? I am currently in a flat and share the front door and letter box with other flats. Today a letter of mine was opened although not completely suggesting it was done in error realised before the thing was fully open. I am just wondering however if this was deliberate wether or not it is a criminal offence too so I can push for maximum consequences. Incidently a lot of my mail comes from the MoD.

Skybird · 04-17-12, 11:46 AM

Postal Services Act 2000

"A person commits an offence if, intending to act to a person's detriment and without reasonable excuse, he opens a postal packet which he knows or reasonably suspects has been incorrectly delivered to him."

ABBAFAN · 04-17-12, 11:48 AM

Nice one thanks. I'll make them suffer for their wrongdoing.

Skybird · 04-17-12, 11:55 AM

I assume you need to prove their intention, and that they knew what they did: that it was not by mistake or a mishap.

In Germany and the US, intentional breaching of "privacy of correspondence" can win you prison time and fees up to the 6 digit range, even if the victim is living in your household and is close to you. But you must be able to show that it was not done by mistake, but intentional.

Withholding mail and not delivering it, also is an offence or crime.

In times of war, you can even be charged for treason or espionage when opening somebody else'S mail.

Privacy of correspondence is even mentioned as being guaranteed in the German constiottuion. Don't know about the US constitution, but I think they have it as well. Don'T know about you poor Brits not even having one!

STEED · 04-17-12, 01:02 PM

I got one posted to the wrong address and the person wrote on it in red bold pen..

******* Royal Mail ******* you *******blind ***** get your ******* eyes tested *********

The postman was not happy handing it to me once they got it right.

*=Beat you to it censors.

nikimcbee · 04-17-12, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEED

I got one posted to the wrong address and the person wrote on it in red bold pen..

******* Royal Mail ******* you *******blind ***** get your ******* eyes tested *********

The postman was not happy handing it to me once they got it right.

*=Beat you to it censors.

in before sailor steve.

Jimbuna · 04-17-12, 02:29 PM

The Postal Services Act 2000 is clear that an offence is created if anyone intentionally delays the post or intentionally opens a mail bag. The Act goes on to say: "A person commits an offence if, intending to act to a person's detriment and without reasonable excuse, he opens a postal packet which he knows or reasonably suspects has been incorrectly delivered to him."

You have to prove that the person opening the post did so with the express intention of acting to your detriment. That is very difficult to prove, unless it is obviously a letter from the bank and you can show he used the information to get money out of your account, or get a loan in your name, for example.

The fact of opening the letter is not enough.

jumpy · 04-17-12, 03:30 PM

I had a letter addressed to my address, house number, post code and everything, but with someone else's name on it. I've lived here for over 10 years and have never heard of the persons name in connection with my land lord or any previous tenant.

I opened it, read it (was a greeting from some other individual saying how their visit was nice etc etc) and it had 20 quid inside.

I know all of my neighbours names, so it wasn't one of them addressed by mistake to my house.

I kept the 20 quid.

True story...

Incidentally, I'd not bother about wreaking your revenge over the partially opened post unless this happens repeatedly with all of the post addressed to you.
You say you have stuff from the Mod? Careful now... if you pose a security risk, they might have you whacked.

Egan · 04-17-12, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jumpy

Incidentally, I'd not bother about wreaking your revenge over the partially opened post unless this happens repeatedly with all of the post addressed to you.

Yeah, I can't imagine the Polis are going to do anything than mark you down in the crazy book for trying that one on. Has it happened before? Does it happen on a regular basis? If so then, maybe, you might have grounds.

STEED · 04-17-12, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

in before sailor steve.

I got the letter last Saturday and the look I got!

Hey I didn't do it!

If I get wrong mail, I put though the door it go's to or write on the envelope rec'd at wrong address try again. Never write a load of hatred all over it, poor sods in the Royal Mail have a bad time of it without some twonk laying into them in that manor.

Sailor Steve · 04-17-12, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

in before sailor steve.

Nothing to be "in" on. The censored words are so long as to be vague, as is the meaning. Might as well be funny and use cartoon swearing: ^@) *$^#%($%^# $***%@&$!!!

Sailor Steve · 04-17-12, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEED

Never write a load of hatred all over it, poor sods in the Royal Mail have a bad time of it without some twonk laying into them in that manor.

Same here. A simple "Not at this address" gets the message across.

Jimbuna · 04-18-12, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Same here. A simple "Not at this address" gets the message across.

Precisely....it should also ensure a group of postal workers don't decide to 'redirect' your mail by 'accident' on a semi regular basis.

04-17-12, 11:42 AM	#1
ABBAFAN Commander Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 456 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	United Kingdom Law Is it illegal to open someone elses mail? I am currently in a flat and share the front door and letter box with other flats. Today a letter of mine was opened although not completely suggesting it was done in error realised before the thing was fully open. I am just wondering however if this was deliberate wether or not it is a criminal offence too so I can push for maximum consequences. Incidently a lot of my mail comes from the MoD. __________________ CHOOSE RFA! LESS GRAFT, MORE PAY.

04-17-12, 11:46 AM	#2
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,602 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Postal Services Act 2000 "A person commits an offence if, intending to act to a person's detriment and without reasonable excuse, he opens a postal packet which he knows or reasonably suspects has been incorrectly delivered to him." __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

04-17-12, 11:48 AM	#3
ABBAFAN Commander Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 456 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Nice one thanks. I'll make them suffer for their wrongdoing. __________________ CHOOSE RFA! LESS GRAFT, MORE PAY.

04-17-12, 11:55 AM	#4
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,602 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	I assume you need to prove their intention, and that they knew what they did: that it was not by mistake or a mishap. In Germany and the US, intentional breaching of "privacy of correspondence" can win you prison time and fees up to the 6 digit range, even if the victim is living in your household and is close to you. But you must be able to show that it was not done by mistake, but intentional. Withholding mail and not delivering it, also is an offence or crime. In times of war, you can even be charged for treason or espionage when opening somebody else'S mail. Privacy of correspondence is even mentioned as being guaranteed in the German constiottuion. Don't know about the US constitution, but I think they have it as well. Don'T know about you poor Brits not even having one! __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

04-17-12, 01:02 PM	#5
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	I got one posted to the wrong address and the person wrote on it in red bold pen.. ***** Royal Mail *** you ***blind * get your *** eyes tested ******* The postman was not happy handing it to me once they got it right. *=Beat you to it censors. __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT!

04-17-12, 02:29 PM	#7
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,473 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	The Postal Services Act 2000 is clear that an offence is created if anyone intentionally delays the post or intentionally opens a mail bag. The Act goes on to say: "A person commits an offence if, intending to act to a person's detriment and without reasonable excuse, he opens a postal packet which he knows or reasonably suspects has been incorrectly delivered to him." You have to prove that the person opening the post did so with the express intention of acting to your detriment. That is very difficult to prove, unless it is obviously a letter from the bank and you can show he used the information to get money out of your account, or get a loan in your name, for example. The fact of opening the letter is not enough. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

04-17-12, 03:30 PM	#8
jumpy Admiral Join Date: May 2003 Location: Midlands, UK Posts: 2,139 Downloads: 22 Uploads: 0	I had a letter addressed to my address, house number, post code and everything, but with someone else's name on it. I've lived here for over 10 years and have never heard of the persons name in connection with my land lord or any previous tenant. I opened it, read it (was a greeting from some other individual saying how their visit was nice etc etc) and it had 20 quid inside. I know all of my neighbours names, so it wasn't one of them addressed by mistake to my house. I kept the 20 quid. True story... Incidentally, I'd not bother about wreaking your revenge over the partially opened post unless this happens repeatedly with all of the post addressed to you. You say you have stuff from the Mod? Careful now... if you pose a security risk, they might have you whacked. __________________ when you’ve been so long in the desert, any water, no matter how brackish, looks like life