To think this isn't illegal?

[Stormzy]

A passport got delivered through my letterbox today. I opened the envelope, because it's only me and my toddler that live here, I wasn't really thinking and we've never had post be delivered that wasn't for us. So I'm pretty sure this bit is definitely not illegal as I had no malicious intention.

Anyway, I saw it was a passport, and felt like I recognised the young boy's name in it. Searched him on Facebook, he's friends with my little cousin. I messaged her to message him to tell him and he came round absolutely chuffed saying I had saved his holiday and he was going away in a few days and if I had sent it back he would have missed it.

I was pretty pleased with myself. But I told my friend (we text pretty much all day so wasn't boasting or anything, just a relatively unusual thing to happen so I shared), and she said I could get into big trouble for this and it was illegal.

Is this true? The boy was 15 and goes to school with my cousin so I knew he was unlikely to be committing fraud or an illegal immigrant or anything like that. Surely I won't get in trouble!

I’m confused. What does your friend think is illegal?

I’m confused. What does your friend think is illegal?

Not sending a passport back if it's delivered to the wrong address.

Even though I gave it to the intended recipient

No but I'd be saying wow what are the chances !

According to the Postal Services Act 2000, it is illegal to open mail that is not addressed to you.

I think as you did it by accident, you'd be fine!

Why was it delivered to you??

Using someone address as yours? And he is an immigrant, I am inferring from your post where you said he wasn’t likely to be ‘illegal’.

This sounds weird to me/

My children's passports were delivered to the wrong address by a courier. I was very grateful that the person who took delivery brought them round to me.

Passports have to be signed for not just popped through the letterbox.

Isn't it only illegal to open post if it is done with intent to deprive the recipient of it?
He was very lucky you recognised him and sorted it.

Snap I have never had to sign for a passport and between us we have had 9 over the years.

*Using someone address as yours? And he is an immigrant, I am inferring from your post where you said he wasn’t likely to be ‘illegal’.

This sounds weird to me/*

No, I meant it was unlikely that he was using my address to illegally claim British residency, which I doubt is even possible, because he's 15 and goes to my cousins school and has done since year 7 🤷🏽‍♀️

That's not correct snap. They are not delivered through the normal post, they are delivered by courier service but they are not signed for.

I put in a formal complaint.

Snap mine was delivered last week not signed for.

I wouldn't give it a second thought.

He lives a few doors down from me according to my cousin, that's the first thing she said when I asked if she knew him. So I guess not that weird, just read a number wrong I suppose?

I had to sign for all 3 of mine, maybe it's a fake one and he's going nightclubbing not on holiday

SNAP .No they don't. Mine came through the post.

I had to sign for all 3 of mine, maybe it's a fake one and he's going nightclubbing not on holiday

Well if wouldn't be very useful as it says he was born in 2002

I just applied for my DD's yesterday and it says we will either need it signed for or will post through your letterbox.

It depends on your postcode if your passport arrives by courier or post. Safer areas are mailed.

If mailed then theyneeds tone signed for.

I've never had to sign for a passport, ours just came in the post.

Mine was mailed through normal post a month ago (London).

What incentive is there for the police to pursue this? ‘Woman gives passport to boy it belongs to’ - not exactly up there with the Great Train Robbery.

Passports have to be signed for not just popped through the letterbox

Nope. Ours were just on the doormat when we got back from shopping a few months ago.

Nope never had to sign for the 3 we received this week, straight thru the letterbox

It would be less danger and effort for them than chasing real criminals.