Police (Property) Act 1897

1897 CHAPTER 30 60 and 61 Vict_cross-notes

[^F1An Act to make further provision with respect to the Disposal of Property in the Possession of the Police.

[6th August 1897]

case ^X11 Power to make orders with respect to property in possession of police. _cross-notes

(1)Where any property has come into the possession of the police in connexion [^F2with their investigation of a suspected offence^F2] ^F3... , ^F4... [^F5or section thirty-four of the ^M1Pawnbrokers Act 1872,^F5] a court of summary jurisdiction may, on application, either by an officer of police or by a claimant of the property, make an order for the delivery of the property to the person appearing to the magistrate or court to be the owner thereof, or, if the owner cannot be ascertained, make such order with respect to the property as to the magistrate or court may seem meet.

(2)An order under this section shall not affect the right of any person to take within six months from the date of the order legal proceedings against any person in possession of property delivered by virtue of the order for the recovery of the property, but on the expiration of those six months the right shall cease.

^F6(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SI 2 Regulations with respect to unclaimed property in possession of police. _cross-notes

(1)A Secretary of State may make regulations for the disposal of property which has come into the possession of the police under the circumstances mentioned in this Act in cases where the owner of the property has not been ascertained and no order of a competent court has been made with respect thereto.

(2)The regulations may authorise the sale of any such property, and the application of the proceeds of any such sale, and the application of any money of which the owner cannot be ascertained, to all or any of the following purposes:

(a)the expenses of executing the regulations;

(b)the payment of reasonable compensation to any person by whom the property has been delivered into the possession of the police;

(c)the making of payments for the benefit of discharged prisoners or of persons dependent on prisoners or discharged prisoners; or

(d)such other purposes as the Secretary of State may consider expedient.

[^F7(2A)The regulations may also provide that where, in the case of property other than money—

(a)the property has remained in the possession of the police for a year,

(b)the police would under the regulations have power to sell the property,

(c)in the opinion of the [^F8relevant body^F8] , the property can be used for police purposes, and

(d)the [^F8relevant body^F8] determine, in such manner as may be prescribed by the regulations, that the property is to be retained by [^F9the relevant body^F9] ,

the [^F8relevant body^F8] is to become the owner of the property on the making of the determination or at such later time as the regulations may specify.

[^F10(2B)The [^F11relevant body^F11] for the purposes of subsection (2A) is the [^F12local policing body^F12] .^F10^,^F7]]

(3)Where the property is a perishable article or its custody involves unreasonable expense or inconvenience it may be sold at any time, but the proceeds of sale shall not be disposed of until they have remained in the possession of the police for a year. In any other case the property shall not be sold until it has remained in the possession of the police for a year.

(4)The regulations may also provide for the investment of money and for the audit of accounts.

[^F13(4A)The regulations may also provide for the publication of determinations falling within subsection (2A)(d) above.^F13]

(5)The regulations shall apply whether the property to which they relate has come into the possession of the police before or after ^F14... the making of the regulations.

[^F15(6)In relation to England and Wales, the power to make regulations under this section is exercisable by statutory instrument; and a statutory instrument made in the exercise of that power is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(7)In relation to Northern Ireland, the power to make regulations under this section is exercisable by statutory rule for the purposes of the ^M2Statutory Rules (Northern Ireland) Order 1979; and regulations made in the exercise of that power are subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament in like manner as a statutory instrument and section 5 of the ^M3Statutory Instruments Act 1946 shall have effect accordingly.^F15]

[^F162A Application to [^F17the National Crime Agency^F17]

(1)This Act applies to property which has come into the possession of the [^F18National Crime Agency^F18] as it applies to property that has come into the possession of the police.

(2)In relation to property that has come into the possession of the [^F19National Crime Agency^F19] —

(a)the reference in section 1(1) to an officer of police is a reference to a [^F20 National Crime Agency officer^F20] ; and

(b)references in section 2 to the property remaining in the possession of the police are references to its remaining in the possession of that [^F21Agency^F21] .

SI(3)The power to make regulations under section 2 has effect in relation to property that has come into the possession of the [^F22National Crime Agency^F22] as if—

(a)the relevant authority for the purposes of subsection (2A) of that section were [^F23that Agency^F23] ; and

(b)the reference in subsection (2A)(c) of that section to police purposes were a reference to the purposes of that [^F24Agency^F24] .^F16^,^F1]]

3 Extent and short title.

(1)This Act shall not extend to Scotland.

^F25(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F26(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)This Act may be cited as the Police (Property) Act 1897.

in force	Provision is in force
in force*	In force only for specified purposes (for detail about the purposes see/hover footnote)
not in force	Not in force in England (may be in force in other geographies, see footnotes)
italics	Defined term
_dfn	Defined term (alternative style)
gry bckgrd	the in-force status of the provision is complex, check the footnotes

in force

Provision is in force

in force*

In force only for specified purposes (for detail about the purposes see/hover footnote)

not in force

Not in force in England (may be in force in other geographies, see footnotes)

italics

Defined term

_dfn

Defined term (alternative style)

gry bckgrd

the in-force status of the provision is complex, check the footnotes

footnote	commentary	related provisions	geo extent	insert/omit
C1	Act: modified by Incitement to Disaffection Act 1934 (c. 56), s. 2(4); extended by Criminal Damage Act 1971 (c. 48), s. 6(3) and Powers of Criminal Courts Act 1973 (c. 62), s. 43(4); excluded by Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 (c. 2), s. 139(4)
C2	Act applied (with modifications) (25.8.2000) by 2000 c. 6, ss. 144(1), 168(1)
C3	Act excluded (13.4.2006) by Terrorism Act 2006 (c. 11), ss. 28(7)(a), 39(2); S.I. 2006/1013, art. 2(2)(b)
C4	Act applied by 1996 c. 56, s. 550AA(10) (as inserted (31.5.2007 for E., 31.10.2010 for W.) by Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38), ss. 45, 66(2); S.I. 2007/858, art. 3(a); S.I. 2010/2426, art. 2)
C5	Act applied by 1992 c. 13, s. 85B (as inserted (31.5.2007 for E., 31.10.2010 for W.) by Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38), ss. 46, 66(2); S.I. 2007/858, art. 3(b); S.I. 2010/2426, art. 2)
C6	Act applied (1.10.2007) by Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38), ss. 47(9), 66(2); S.I. 2007/2180, art. 3(l)
C7	Act excluded by 1978 c. 37, Sch. para. 2(2) (as inserted (1.4.2008) by Police and Justice Act 2006 (c. 48), s. 53(1), Sch. 11; S.I. 2008/790, art. 2(c))
C8	Act applied by 1996 c. 56, s. 550ZD(1) (as inserted (1.9.2010) by Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (c. 22), ss. 242(1), 269(4); S.I. 2010/303, art. 6, Sch. 5 (as amended (26.7.2010) by S.I. 2010/1891, art. 2(2) (with art. 3)))
C9	Act applied by 1992 c. 13, s. 85AD(1) (as inserted (1.9.2010) by Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (c. 22), ss. 244(1), 269(4); S.I. 2010/303, art. 6, Sch. 5 (as amended (26.7.2010) by S.I. 2010/1891, art. 2(2) (with art. 3)))
C10	Act excluded (12.12.2017) by Cultural Property (Armed Conflicts) Act 2017 (c. 6), ss. 24(6)(a), 32(2) (with s. 30); S.I. 2017/1087, reg. 2
C11	Act applied (with modifications) (10.5.2021) by The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (Election of Mayor and Functions) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/112), arts. 1(4), 35(1)(2), Sch. 5 para. 1
C12	Act applied (with modifications) (21.3.2024) by The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (Election of Mayor and Transfer of Police and Crime Commissioner Functions) Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/414), arts. 1(2), 5, Sch. 1 para. 1
C13	S. 1 extended by Public Stores Act 1875 (c. 25), s. 12(2)
C14	Reference to police court and metropolitan police magistrate to be construed respectively as reference to a magistrates' court for the inner London area and a metropolitan stipendiary magistrate sitting in a magistrates' court in the same court-house as the chief metropolitan stipendiary magistrate: Administration of Justice Act 1964 (c. 42), Sch. 3 Pt. I paras. 2, 3.
C15	S. 1(2) modified (1.12.2020 immediately before the consolidation date (see 2020 c. 9, ss. 3, 5(2)(3) and 2020 c. 17, ss. 2, 416)) by Sentencing (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Act 2020 (c. 9), s. 5(2)(3), Sch. 2 para. 128; S.I. 2012/1236, reg. 2
C16	S. 2 extended (25.8.2000) by 2000 c. 6, ss. 144(2)-(4), 168(1)
C17	S. 2(1) amended by Powers of Criminal Courts Act 1973 (c. 62), s. 43(5)
C18	S. 2(2A) applied (with modifications) (8.5.2017) by The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (Transfer of Police and Crime Commissioner Functions to the Mayor) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/470), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 1(2)
C19	Act applied (with modifications) (10.5.2021) by The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (Election of Mayor and Functions) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/112), arts. 1(4), 35(1)(2), Sch. 5 para. 1
C20	S. 2(2A) modified (20.12.2023) by The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1432), arts. 1(2), 33(2), Sch. 5 para. 1(2)
C21	S. 2(2A) modified (29.6.2026) by 2011 c. 13, Sch. 10A para. 24 (as inserted by English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 (c. 23), s. 108(5), Sch. 24 (with s. 102))
C22	S. 2(2A)(a) excluded (E.W.) (19.5.1997) by 1973 c. 62, s. 43(7) (as inserted (19.5.1997) by 1997 c. 30, ss. 2(3), 7(2))
C23	S. 2(3) excluded (E.W.) (19.5.1997) by 1973 c. 62, s. 43(7) (as inserted (19.5.1997) by 1997 c. 30, ss. 2(3), 7(2))
F1	Act repealed (N.I.) (1.4.1999) by 1998 c. 32, s. 74(3), Sch. 6 (with Sch. 5 para. 1); S.R. 1999/176, art. 3 (with art. 4)	this amendment (text repealed) should be read in conjunction with other related provisions, see the commentary.	repealed: Northern Ireland	repealed
F1	Act repealed (N.I.) (1.4.1999) by 1998 c. 32, s. 74(3), Sch. 6 (with Sch. 5 para. 1); S.R. 1999/176, art. 3 (with art. 4)	this amendment (text repealed) should be read in conjunction with other related provisions, see the commentary.	repealed: Northern Ireland	repealed
F1	Act repealed (N.I.) (1.4.1999) by 1998 c. 32, s. 74(3), Sch. 6 (with Sch. 5 para. 1); S.R. 1999/176, art. 3 (with art. 4)	this amendment (text repealed) should be read in conjunction with other related provisions, see the commentary.	repealed: Northern Ireland	repealed
F1	Act repealed (N.I.) (1.4.1999) by 1998 c. 32, s. 74(3), Sch. 6 (with Sch. 5 para. 1); S.R. 1999/176, art. 3 (with art. 4)	this amendment (text repealed) should be read in conjunction with other related provisions, see the commentary.	repealed: Northern Ireland	repealed
F2	Words substituted (E.W.) by Criminal Justice Act 1972 (c. 71), s. 58 and substituted (N.I.) (19.5.1997) by 1997 c. 30, ss. 4(1), 7(2)		substituted: England and Wales	substituted
F3	Words repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1989 (c. 43), s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I			repealed
F4	Words repealed by Theft Act 1968 (c. 60), Sch. 3 Pt. III			repealed
F5	Words repealed by Consumer Credit Act 1974 (c. 39), s. 192(3), Sch. 5 Pt. I			repealed
F6	S. 1(3) repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1989 (c. 43), s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I			repealed
F7	S. 2(2A)(2B) inserted (19.5.1997) by 1997 c. 30, ss. 1(2), 7(2)			inserted
F8	Words in s. 2(2A) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 62(2)(a); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1			substituted
F9	Words in s. 2(2A)(d) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 62(2)(b); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1			substituted
F10	S. 2(2B) substituted (1.10.2002) by 2002 c. 30, s. 77(2); S.I. 2002/2306, art. 2(d)(viii)			substituted
F11	Words in s. 2(2B) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 62(3)(a); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1			substituted
F12	Words in s. 2(2B) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 62(3)(b); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1			substituted
F13	S. 2(4A) inserted (19.5 1997) by 1997 c. 30, ss. 1(3), 7(2)			inserted
F14	Words repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1908 (c. 49)			repealed
F15	S. 2(6)(7) substituted for s. 2(6) (19.5.1997) by 1997 c. 30, ss. 1(4), 7(2)			substituted
F16	S. 2A inserted (1.10.2002) by 2002 c. 30, s. 77(1); S.I. 2002/2306, art. 2(d)(viii)			inserted
F17	Words in s. 2A substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 8 para. 15(2); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(v)			substituted
F18	Words in s. 2A(1) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 8 para. 15(3); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(v)			substituted
F19	Words in s. 2A(2) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 8 para. 15(4)(a); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(v)			substituted
F20	Words in s. 2A(2)(a) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 8 para. 15(4)(b); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(v)			substituted
F21	Word in s. 2A(2)(b) substituted (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8), Sch. 4 para. 2(3)(b); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 10			substituted
F22	Words in s. 2A(3) substituted (7.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(2), Sch. 8 para. 15(5); S.I. 2013/1682, art. 3(v)			substituted
F23	Words in s. 2A(3)(a) substituted (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8), Sch. 4 para. 2(4)(a); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 10			substituted
F24	Word in s. 2A(3)(b) substituted (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8), Sch. 4 para. 2(4)(b); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 10			substituted
F25	S. 3(2) repealed (N.I.) (19.5.1997) by 1997 c. 30, ss. 4(2), 7(2)		repealed: Northern Ireland	repealed
F26	S. 3(1) repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1908 (c. 49)			repealed
M1	1872 c. 93.
M2	S.I. 1979/1573 (N.I. 12).
M3	1946 c. 36.
X1	This Act is not necessarily in the form in which it has effect in Northern Ireland

Police (Property) Act 1897

1897 CHAPTER 30 60 and 61 Victcross-notes

case X11 Power to make orders with respect to property in possession of police. cross-notes

SI 2 Regulations with respect to unclaimed property in possession of police. cross-notes

[F162A Application to [F17the National Crime AgencyF17]

3 Extent and short title.

Status of changes to instrument text

1897 CHAPTER 30 60 and 61 Vict_cross-notes

case ^X11 Power to make orders with respect to property in possession of police. _cross-notes

SI 2 Regulations with respect to unclaimed property in possession of police. _cross-notes

[^F162A Application to [^F17the National Crime Agency^F17]